(670 The Score) The Cubs remain in pursuit of big names as the start of spring training looms in February.
In addition to staying in contact with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, the Cubs are also involved in the trade sweepstakes for Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi told the Spiegel & Holmes Show on Thursday afternoon. The Cubs are well-stocked with seven prospects among the top 100 in baseball, Morosi pointed out in noting they have plenty of potential trade capital.
“At some point, you need to look at who you’ve got and say, ‘Let’s go for this’ and show a little bit of urgency in year two of Craig Counsell in what I would describe as a very winnable division,” Morosi said.
“The Cubs know who they are, what they’re supposed to be. Getting Dylan Cease with even one year left on his deal would be a big-market move by a big-market team.”
Cease, 29, had a 3.47 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 33 starts for the Padres in 2024, when he finished fourth in the National League Cy Young race. He's set to make $13.75 million in 2025, after which he's on a path to hit free agency.
Listen to Morosi’s full interview in the audio player above. The Mets are another team expressing interest in Cease, according to reports.