SAN DIEGO. – Amidst a rapidly heating trade market, the San Diego Padres would be willing to move a key piece of their rotation:
Dylan Cease, and instead could aim high with interest in Dominican
Sandy Alcántara, according to various reports from specialized media.
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MLB Network’s correspondent,
Jon Heyman, reported that the Padres are listening to offers for Cease, who has caught the attention of several teams, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Mets. This falls within a strategy of general manager
A.J. Preller, who would be evaluating moving players who will soon be free agents, with the aim of redistributing resources and reinforcing other areas of the team.
The organization’s financial situation and the decline in the minor league system have forced Preller to consider adjustments, and Cease — who signed for
US$13.75 million for 2025 and will become a free agent after that campaign— has emerged as a “surprise name” on the market, according to
Buster Olney, from ESPN.
Among San Diego’s priorities is strengthening the outfield, particularly the
left field, a need that has led the club to show interest in players like
Jarren Durán (Red Sox) and
Steven Kwan (Guardians).
However, if a Cease departure materializes, the Padres will need an impact starter to remain competitive, and that’s where Dominican ace Sandy Alcantara comes into play. According to Dennis Lin, from The Athletic, San Diego has shown interest in acquiring the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, whose contract extends through 2026, with a club option for 2027.
Alcántara, who earns a salary of
US$17 million, recently pitched one of his best starts of the year precisely against the Padres, facing Cease in a direct duel. His contractual stability and proven performance make him an attractive option for San Diego if they want to keep their playoff aspirations intact next season.
With the Trade Deadline approaching, the movement of pieces in the market promises to intensify, and everything indicates that the Padres will be protagonists in this final stretch.
