Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are currently a complete mess. Last year was a disappointing setback for a team that thought it had the pieces to be a contender in a weak AL Central division in 2023. Injuries and poor performances from players like Tim Anderson doomed the club, and by the Aug. 1 trade deadline, a full-on fire sale ensued. Could the Phillies land their best pitcher this offseason?
The Phillies, like a lot of contending teams, have waited out the market for free agents so far this offseason. Now that Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are off the board, teams are sure to pounce on the top remaining free agent starters still available on the market. For those looking to make a bigger splash than signing the likes of Marcus Stroman, Dylan Cease is reported to be available to a team willing to give up a big haul of prospects to land the White Sox ace.
The 27-year-old Cease had a season well below expectations in 2023. The right-hander compiled a record of 7-9 in addition to a 4.58 ERA over 33 starts in 177 innings pitched. Cease was more dominant in 2022, when he recorded a record of 14 wins and 8 losses along with a 2.20 ERA and a career-high 227 strikeouts.
If the Phillies want to add another front-line starter like Dylan Cease, it's another move that will cost them a haul of prospects. Cease will be a free agent after the 2025 season, and will provide at least two years of team control. Bob Nightengale recently named the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles as potential landing spots.