New team linked to possible Dylan Cease trade

Apr 5, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) sits in the dugout before the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox are still open to a trade of starting pitcher Dylan Cease, and a new team has reportedly entered the market for him.

The Seattle Mariners have initiated trade talks regarding Cease, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Chicago’s asking price remains steep, and the Mariners would likely have to part with one of top prospects Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo to have a chance of making a deal.

The Mariners may be the last chance for the White Sox to trade Cease before the start of the season. If no deal is made, the White Sox are expected to keep Cease to start the season and potentially explore a trade again before the trade deadline.

Cease has been linked to a number of teams since the start of the offseason, most prominently the New York Yankees. The White Sox have consistently maintained a high asking price, and that appears to have scared a few teams off, at least for the time being.

Cease is coming off a down season where he posted a 4.58 ERA with the White Sox, but was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young in 2022.