The Baltimore Orioles are likely to lose starting pitcher Corbin Burnes to free agency, and they must replace him. What is the best option? A massive trade for San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease. Cease is under team control in 2025 before becoming a free agent at the end of the season. The Orioles and Padres have been heavily linked to this prospective transaction, so let’s put together a trade package that could make an idea a reality.
Here’s a trade that would send Cease to Baltimore and replace Burnes as the Orioles’ ace: Baltimore Orioles receive: RHP. Dylan Cease San Diego Padres acquire RHP Chayce McDermott (No. 5 prospect), OF Dylan Beavers (No. 6 prospect); C/1B Ethan Anderson (No. 12 prospect). Trading Cease, especially to the Orioles in these circumstances, remains a major question mark for me.
The Orioles made a huge trade for Burnes last summer, and now their acquisition is about to go. Why would anyone want to repeat the same experience a year later? Cease is slightly more cheap in free agency next offseason than Burnes is this winter. While Burnes might score a deal worth over $250 million, Spotrac estimates Cease will sign for around $108 million in free agency next summer.
Finding a trade that benefits both parties is challenging here. To consider dealing Cease, the Padres would need to receive a substantial number of MLB-ready prospects. A combination led by Chayce McDermott and Dylan Beavers should be effective. McDermott, 26, could join the Padres rotation by opening day. He’s an extremely talented arm with enormous potential.
The Beavers might replace outfielder Jurickson Profar in San Diego’s lineup. Ethan Anderson is another outstanding prospect for the Padres, this time in the 2024 draft. Anderson had a.799 OPS in 19 pro games last season. Will Baltimore do this? Will San Diego consider this? Only time will tell.
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