Latest trade rumors prove that Dylan Cease was never really a fit for the Reds

The Dylan Cease rumors are back!

Starting pitcher Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A few weeks before Opening Day, the Cincinnati Reds saw firsthand why trade speculations involving Dylan Cease have surfaced again. Last night, when facing the Chicago White Sox, Cease pitched 3.1 innings of one-run, two-hit ball and struck out eight Reds players. Oh my!

Even though the Reds’ offseason additions of Nick Martinez and Frankie Montas have almost eliminated Cincinnati from trade rumors, other teams are resuming talks with the White Sox in anticipation of the 2024 campaign.

The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees are reportedly considering Ceases’ services. After undergoing an MRI, Gerrit Cole, the top pitcher for the Yankees, may not be able to play in 2024. Until at least mid-summer, the Rangers will be without former Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle, Jacob deGrom, and Max Scherzer. Although Cease is wanted by both teams, the Reds first rejected the idea of trading for him earlier in the offseason, as seen by a recent trade proposal.

Latest trade rumors prove that Dylan Cease was never really a fit for the Reds

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription needed) reports that the Rangers are considering giving the White Sox Cease in return for a package that includes Brock Porter, Jack Leiter, and Ezequiel Duran.

That’s a high price to pay, but it’s manageable for a team with an expected payroll of $220 million that hopes to win the World Series again. But that would be more than Nick Krall would be ready to give up for two years of Cease for a team like the Reds, who still don’t know exactly what they have in terms of all their youthful potential.

Duran, Porter, and Leiter together would be comparable to the Reds giving away Spencer Steer, Chase Petty, and Cam Collier. Simply said, that is more than the Reds need to be prepared to give up in exchange for Cease.

Cincinnati chose to sign Frankie Montas to a one-year contract and let their group of Petty, Connor Phillips, Andrew Abbott, Carson Spiers, and Brandon Wililamson develop after the Reds rejected the thought of adding Cease this winter.

Even if there is more enthusiasm for the Reds organization than there has been in more than ten years, there are still a number of unanswered questions before the 2024 season begins. Right now, the Reds are playing the long game rather than going all in on 2024 and 2025. The front management may be singing a different tune come trade deadline time if this club shows that it is championship-ready.