Yankees’ Top Trade Target Seems to Be Staying Put

The New York Yankees have shown heavy interest in trading for right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease throughout the offseason. The former Cy Young runner-up is regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball and would be a huge addition to any team.

However, it looks like the decision on him being traded has been made.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Pedro Grifol, the Chicago White Sox manager, has named Cease his Opening Day starter at a local Boys & Girls Club event on Thursday. This confirms what was expected as the White Sox's asking price for Cease was too high for teams to feel comfortable making a deal.

Cease would've made the Yankees better, but the addition of Marcus Stroman and a healthy Carlos Rodon should have New York in a good spot this season.

While it seems almost certain that he won't be traded before the season, this doesn't mean he won't end the season with the Yankees.

The MLB Trade Deadline will give Chicago another chance to trade him, and depending on how the year is going, that could make New York get aggressive as they push for the playoffs and potentially a championship. 

Teams often overpay at the deadline in hopes that the player they add will put them over the edge. If Cease is traded at the deadline, that'll be the case for whoever lands him.

His 3.72 FIP last season was Cease's highest since 2020. In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the newly turned 28-year-old posted sub-3.50 FIP seasons.

Unless the White Sox have a much different season than expected, look for the Yankees to be involved in trading for him during the season.