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Exploring whether the Cleveland Guardians have interest in Dylan Cease, Lou Trivino
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- Exploring whether the Cleveland Guardians have interest in Dylan Cease, Lou Trivino
The Cleveland Guardians have reportedly kicked the tires on a few potential ways to acquire some additional pitching depth this winter. The question is whether any additional moves remain.
One of Cleveland's top priorities this winter was to address a depth issue in the starting rotation that hasn't been present in years. The Guardians re-signed Shane Bieber , coming off Tommy John surgery , and traded for Luis Ortiz and Slade Cecconi .
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Along the way, the Guardians jettisoned second baseman Andres Gimenez , first baseman Josh Naylor ( who was replaced by Carlos Santana ), reliever Nick Sandlin and outfielder Myles Straw , freeing up some financial room. The Guardians have yet to utilize those freed-up funds beyond 2025.
Bieber, Ortiz, Cecconi, Tanner Bibee , Ben Lively , Gavin Williams , Triston McKenzie , Logan Allen and Joey Cantillo all figure to potentially play a role in the competition for rotation spots this spring.
Dylan Cease trade rumors
Meanwhile, it's possible a frontline starting pitcher could be headed to the American League Central in some capacity.
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The San Diego Padres are rumored to be shopping — or at least open to the idea of dealing — starter Dylan Cease. The Guardians were linked in December as a possible trade partner fit, in both need and familiarity with SD's front office through past deals. More recently, the Minnesota Twins have emerged as a leading potential landing spot .
Cease joining one of the four AL Central contenders would help to shift the balance of power in the division.
Last year, Cease went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA and 224 strikeouts, enough to finish fourth in National League Cy Young voting. It was the second time in four years he's finished in the top four — he was second for the AL Cy Young in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox .
He's under contract for $13.75 million for the 2025 season before he can become a free agent heading into 2026. The Padres are reportedly looking to shed salary, making Cease and Luis Arraez the top trade candidates considering many of the high-priced players on San Diego 's roster have full or partial no-trade clauses.
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Acquiring Cease would make him and Bibee the clear one-two in the rotation, at least until Bieber returns from rehab. The Twins, meanwhile, would add a much-needed frontline starter to a roster that has seemingly spun its tires for years.
As for the Guardians, a potential Cease trade would likely need to be considered as, well, unlikely. He'll almost certainly walk to free agency after 2025 unless he's immediately given a long-term extension, which seems unlikely in Cleveland. The Guardians being able to retain Bieber and adding Ortiz, especially, has bolstered their position. Plus, they arguably are the No. 1 team when it comes to developing pitching.
It might hurt a bit extra, though, if Cease ends up in the AL Central.
Guardians attend workout of reliever Lou Trivino
New York Yankees relief pitcher Lou Trivino (56) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during spring training on March 2, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida.
The Guardians were reportedly one of at least seven teams to attend a workout of reliever Lou Trivino.
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A former closer with the Oakland A 's, Trivino hasn't pitched since 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Guardians have plenty of recent experience in this area after signing Matt Boyd last year and re-signing Bieber this offseason.
Trivino , now 33 after missing the past two seasons, has a career 3.86 ERA along with a 9.5 K/9 ratio.
However, the Guardians' recent signing of Paul Sewald , which led to Pedro Avila being designated for assignment, might indicate the end of their potential interest in Trivino, unless both parties view it as a reclamation project.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians linked to Dylan Cease, Lou Trivino
