MLB Insider Reports Cubs Have Had Trade Talks About Padres’ Dylan Cease originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Chicago Cubs are expected to look for a new starting pitcher at the MLB trade deadline. With the injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, and Javier Assad, the Cubs’ need in the rotation is clear.
There are solid options on the market, but according to MLB insider Buster Olney of ESPN, a new starting pitcher is on the market, and the Cubs are expressing interest in him.
"A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year’s end," Olney writes. "Mets, AL East teams, Cubs among teams that have talked about him."
A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year’s end. Perception of other teams is that the Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs. Mets, AL…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 23, 2025
Olney reports that the Cubs are one of many teams that have talked about Cease. While he doesn’t go into detail if those trade talks are internal or with the Padres, the indication is clear: the Cubs are interested in Cease.
The Padres’ starting pitcher is set to hit free agency after his one-year, $13.75 million deal expires at the end of the season. The 29-year-old has struggled a bit this season, but he’s still shown enough that teams are interested.
Cease, in his 20 starts this season for the Padres, has a 4.64 ERA, 139 strikeouts, 39 walks, 15 home runs, a 1.298 WHIP, and is 3-9 on the year. He’s still striking out batters at an elite clip, and has a FIP of 3.49.
While he hasn’t been his best this season, Cease does have a strong history, which could justify bringing him in for a team like the Cubs. Back in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox, Cease had a 2.20 ERA and was the Cy Young runner-up.
He hasn’t reached those heights in the three years since. His best season was in 2024, when he had a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts with 224 strikeouts and a 118 ERA+, a good deal lower than his 180 ERA+ in 2022.
Olney reports that the Cubs are one of the teams interested in Cease. This is an encouraging report, as the more starters who are available at the deadline, the better odds the Cubs will have at landing one.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
