Latest News Surrounding Padres’ Dylan Cease Arises After Mason Miller Speculation originally appeared on Baseball Insider
The San Diego Padres arguably achieved the most impactful moves during Major League Baseball’s trade window, regardless of differing perspectives.
Of course, alternative cases could be made for other franchises, yet the Padres addressed their needs effectively, currently experiencing positive outcomes by surpassing the Los Angeles Dodgers by a single game.
Their most significant trade acquisition, Mason Miller, obtained in exchange for a highly-regarded prospect, Leo De Vries, might evolve beyond solely serving as the Padres’ closer.
Numerous observers perceive his potential as a starting pitcher, and according to a recent analysis by BaseballAnalyst.com’s Jim Fox, this could influence the situations of several Padres’ free agents, including Dylan Cease.
“The powerful right-handed pitcher has injected additional vitality into San Diego’s bullpen, although the duration of his presence there remains uncertain. Miller’s long-term commitment is secured through 2029, but discussions have emerged suggesting the Padres might contemplate reintroducing him to the starting rotation in the future. With Dylan Cease, Michael King, and the recently obtained Nestor Cortes approaching free agency, the Friars’ strategic decision regarding Miller could significantly shape their approach to the starting pitching market during the offseason,” he stated.
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Should the Padres intend to progressively increase Miller’s workload in the coming months, following the season, and transition him into a permanent starting role, retaining all three of Cease, Michael King, and Nestor Cortes might prove unnecessary.
Cease arguably remains the most skilled pitcher among the trio, yet Miller previously functioned as a starter during his career, and if his fastball maintains its current effectiveness within a starting rotation, he could achieve dominance, potentially leading to Cease’s departure in free agency.
