The New York Yankees were once considered potential suitors for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., either through free agency or a midseason trade. However, those hopes were dashed when Guerrero reportedly agreed to a massive 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. With Guerrero no longer an option, the Yankees may now shift focus toward strengthening their roster at the trade deadline.
Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report pointed to Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres as a possible target. “By holding onto Cease through Opening Day, San Diego signaled its playoff ambitions—and their 8-2 start supports that stance,” Zucker noted. “But if the Padres’ season starts to falter, the Yankees might revisit trade talks for Cease or even consider bringing back Michael King.”
Guerrero would have filled a long-standing need at first base for the Yankees, but acquiring Cease could significantly enhance their pitching rotation. Cease is in the final year of his contract and could be moved if San Diego falls out of contention. According to Spotrac, he’s projected to land a five-year, $108 million deal in free agency—far less than what Guerrero would have commanded, both in salary and trade assets.
If the Yankees trade for Cease, they could potentially form a powerful rotation with Cease, Max Fried, and Luis Gil, with Gerrit Cole joining once healthy. So far this season, Cease has a 3.38 ERA across 10 2/3 innings, and over the past three years, he’s posted a 3.40 ERA while making over 30 starts annually. He’s also twice finished in the top five for the Cy Young Award.