The Braves are currently positioned as front-runners to acquire Dylan Cease, according to a report from MLB Insider Bob Nightengale. Nightengale mentioned in a recent USA Today article that the Braves and the Orioles are the top contenders for Cease’s services.
Throughout the offseason, the Atlanta Braves have consistently been linked to Dylan Cease, generating significant buzz in Braves circles for over a month. Acquiring Cease would necessitate a trade, and rumors suggest that the asking price for the talented pitcher is quite high. Questions arise regarding how much the Braves’ General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos, would be willing to part with, such as potentially trading A.J. Smith-Shawver or Bryce Elder AND Hurston Waldrep.
It’s important to note that even if a trade is successfully negotiated, the Braves would only have control over Cease until 2026, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, sparking a potential bidding war for his services. Despite Cease’s 2023 season ending with a 7-9 record and a 4.58 ERA, his overall performance is not indicative of his pitching abilities.
In 2022, Cease boasted an impressive 14-8 record with a 2.20 ERA, recording 219 strikeouts and 79 walks in 177 innings. The evaluation of Cease’s value to the Braves hinges on the cost of acquisition. While acknowledging that Cease’s recent stats may not be stellar, the prospect of adding him to a rotation alongside Fried, Strider, and Morton is undoubtedly enticing.
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