Former Braves trade target reportedly back on the trade block

While the Braves have remained quiet on the free agent front, it’s not hard to see why Alex Anthopoulos has been hesitant.

Willy Adames signed a deal with the Giants at a rate that far exceeded what anyone in Atlanta thought the Braves would offer. The outfield market is also developing, with Juan Soto signing a record-breaking deal to join the Mets.

However, no market is more inflated than the starting pitching market, with Max Fried being the latest starter to ink a free agent deal, a contract well north of $200 million over eight years to join the Yankees.

That followed eye-popping figures from Nathan Eovaldi, Luis Severino, and others that just don’t align with the Braves M.O., but that doesn’t mean a blockbuster acquisition can’t come to fruition.

I’d argue that Alex Anthopoulos is at his best with his back against the wall in need of an ace up his sleeve, and that ace could be a former Braves trade target who is once again back on the trade block.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune suggested that the Padres are anywhere from actively “trying to unload” Dylan Cease to just “open to offers” on him. The Athletic’s Dennis Lin described the situation as San Diego “at least exploring” Cease’s trade value.

Once upon a time, MLB insider Bob Nightengale described the Braves as the favorites to land Dylan Cease when the White Sox were shopping the Georgia native, and while the Padres ended up winning those sweepstakes, Alex Anthopoulos confirmed the Braves were interested.

Cease started 33 games for the Padres in 2024, owning a 3.47 ERA over that span, finishing the season with 224 strikeouts and a career-best 1.07 WHIP en route to a fourth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

MLB Trade Rumors projects Dylan Cease to make $13.7 million in his final year of arbitration before testing free agency next offseason. I’d assume the Braves would prefer to trade for a starter and extend him rather than paying sticker price in free agency. Cease could definitely be an option.

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