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Details Emerge Surrounding Twins + Padres Trade Talks for Dylan Cease
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- Details Emerge Surrounding Twins + Padres Trade Talks for Dylan Cease
Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
Last week details emerged regarding the Minnesota Twins being in contact with the San Diego Padres . The NL West team had interest in veteran backstop Christian Vazquez . Minnesota, and anyone with common sense, likes what Dylan Cease brings to the table.
That would never be a one-for-one swap obviously, and the sides have had active discussions about other parts. Spring Training is less than two weeks away now though, and nothing has materialized yet.
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Dylan Cease would make perfect sense for the MN Twins
When The Athletic's Dan Hayes first reported interest in Cease from Minnesota, it was a bombshell. In his latest article, his suggestion that "Cease is precisely what the Twins need," couldn't be more true. The Twins aren't the only team to inquire about the Cy Young-caliber pitcher , but he would solve a significant amount of fan angst.
Hayes astutely outlines a way in which Minnesota could acquire Cease, while protecting their prospects and fulfilling San Diego 's desire for big league talent.
"The Padres' ask likely begins with either Ryan or Ober. The Twins would instead prefer to insert Zebby Matthews or Simeon Woods Richardson while also having to include left fielder Trevor Larnach, utilityman Willi Castro (whose $6.4 million salary would help offset how much money the Twins absorb with Cease) and others to help compensate for the draft pick compensation the Padres would receive if they kept Cease for the season, made him the qualifying offer, and he then leaves via free agency."
There is no way Walker Jenkins or Emmanuel Rodriguez will be made available. It's also tough to envision that Luke Keaschall could be moved given the likelihood of him being a possible answer at first base in the big leagues this year.
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If the Padres are willing to pay most of Christian Vazquez 's $10 million salary this season, that could be a way for the Twins to inch closer for a net-even return. Willi Castro's salary is the only other sizable amount of those mentioned.
Related: Keith Law Ranks Minnesota Twins Farm System Low… But at Least He's Nice About It?
With Cease on board, the Twins could part with either big league starter Zebby Matthews and/or Simeon Woods Richardson. They still have Triple-A prospect depth in the form of Andrew Morris, Cory Lewis, and Marco Raya.
Dylan Cease NO HITTER!!! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/fsbZXA2Fec
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 25, 2024
Cease brings the high-end talent along with incredible durability. He has started at least 32 games in each of the past four seasons; three times leading the league. He has two top-four Cy Young finishes, familiarity with the division, and has racked up at least 214 strikeouts in each of the past four years.
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Despite just a single year left on his deal, Cease also represents an ideal extension candidate. Although Minnesota doesn't have money now due to their sale , they may soon with new owners . Talk about a way to make a splash.
Could MN pivot to a different deal with San Diego?
It's understandable that Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll may balk at the asking price from A.J. Preller. The Twins don't really need to add more back-end depth, but it doesn't have to be Cease or bust.
San Diego has floated Michael King's name as a potential trade candidate, and he just agreed to an arbitration deal.
Michael King and the Padres have settled to avoid arbitration, per source. King will be guaranteed $7.75 million ($3M signing bonus, $1M salary, $3.75M buyout on a $15M mutual option for 2026). The buyout can become $4M based on number of games started. @sdutKevinAcee was on it.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 31, 2025
King has one more year of team control than Dylan Cease, and could be in the same $13 million ballpark next season. Right now though, he's a cheaper payday and his track record can be a bit more scrutinized.
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The former Yankees pitcher has a dazzling 2.91 ERA since 2021 , but he only became a full-time starter last year. That resulted in a 2.95 ERA across 173 2/3 innings along with 201 strikeouts. He's a year older than Cease, playing at 30 in 2025, and has thrown 100 innings just twice in his career.
This overlay of Michael King's two seamer and sweeper 🤯
(h/t @PitchingNinja ) pic.twitter.com/ZuB4w1l5kw— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 12, 2024
Related: Local Insider Confident Twins No. 1 Prospect Will Debut in 2025
Right now the Minnesota Twins offseason has been an inexcusable mess. It was never estimated that they would be very active on the free agent front due to financial constraints. Having spent less than $10 million since signing Carlos Correa , and not bringing in a single major league free agent , this winter is a joke.
The trade market could fix a lot of problems in a season where the Twins need to compete , and must earn back fan trust. There is now an avenue to watch the games , but people must be incentivized to do so.
