Report: Dodgers in trade talks with White Sox about Cease
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to bolster their starting rotation ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Los Angeles' front office is in trade discussions with the Chicago White Sox about ace right-hander Dylan Cease, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
The Dodgers need starting pitching with Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías no longer in the mix, while Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are both expected to enter the campaign recovering from injuries.
Chicago lines up well with the Dodgers as it attempts to rebuild its club under Chris Getz and his newly revamped front office. The White Sox have already made one offseason deal, trading lefty reliever Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, and Getz has been clear in saying he'd listen to offers on any of his players.
Cease posted his highest ERA since his rookie campaign last season but still made 33 starts and struck out 214 over 177 innings. It was his third consecutive season with 200 or more strikeouts, including 227 in 2022 when he was runner up for the AL Cy Young.
Trading Cease could net the White Sox an impressive return. The hurler isn't eligible for free agency until 2026 and his projected salary through arbitration this season ($8.8 million) is expected to be much lower than most of the comparable free-agent options.