The defending National League East champion Atlanta Braves have been in the market for some of the top-end pitchers available this winter, both in MLB free agency and on the trade block.
Atlanta missed out on signing Aaron Nola before he returned to the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on a lucrative long-term deal. The Braves were also linked to American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray before he ultimately signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
It now appears that general manager Alex Anthopoulos is setting his sights to the trade market after missing out on those two.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Atlanta is one of several teams engaged in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for ace starter Dylan Cease. In what can’t be considered too much of a surprise, Nightengale mentioned the Los Angeles Dodgers as another potential suitor. We had reported on that before.
- Dylan Cease stats (2023): 7-9 record, 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
As you can see above, Cease is coming off a down season for Chicago. Set to enter his Age-28 season, Cease was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young back in 2022. That season saw him pitch to a 14-8 record with a 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. He also struck out 227 batters in 184 innings of work.
As we mentioned above, Atlanta has been in the market for a starting pitcher all offseason. The team did re-sign Charlie Morton. But he’s more of a bottom-of-the-rotation type of starter right now.
The Braves finished in the middle of the pack last season with a 4.14 team ERA. Spencer Strider (281 strikeouts) was dominant. Bryce Elder (12-4 record, 3.81 ERA) was pretty darn good, too. Meanwhile, Max Fried posted an 8-1 record and 2.55 ERA in 14 starts.
Adding another top arm to the mix should be in the cards for Atlanta after it fell to Philadelphia in the National League Divisional Series.
The question here is a potential return heading back to Chicago in a trade. The White Sox are said to be listening to everyone on their roster. But acquiring Cease will not come cheap for Atlanta.
The righty is entering his second year of arbitration and is expected to earn $8.3 million. He’s also under team control for the 2025 season. Controllable pitchers who are just now entering their prime tend to fetch a nice haul on the trade market.
Currently No. 2 among Braves prospects, pitcher Hurston Waldrep would be a likely target of the White Sox.
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