Updated Post – Nov. 29 at 4:18 PM

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that trade talks for Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease have intensified over the last 48 hours and that there’s some belief a deal could get done before the Winter Meetings start on Dec. 4.

Morosi adds that the Atlanta Braves are still in the hunt for the Georgia native. The 27-year-old Cease is under contract through the 2025 season. Check out our recent Free Agent Profile on Cease.

Dylan Cease. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Original Post – Nov. 27 at 11:46 AM

Discussions about a potential trade for Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease are beginning to intensify, as more than a few teams appear to be interested in acquiring the 27-year-old. The Atlanta Braves, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and others, have reportedly checked in with the White Sox this offseason, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

With Aaron Nola returning to the Philadelphia Phillies and Sonny Gray signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cease potentially is one of the best available arms.

The right-hander has two years left on control, so if a team were to make a deal with Chicago, it would not be a rental. Cease was great in 2022, going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA in 184 innings. He finished second in AL Cy Young voting behind Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander. Cease failed to remain at that level in 2023, pitching to a 7-9 record with a 4.58 ERA in 177 innings.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz has stated that everyone on the current roster could be moved in the right deal. This is an organization that wants stability, and in order to get that, a full rebuild could be the best decision for them. With that in mind, it seems fairly likely that Cease will be on a new team before the beginning of the 2024 season.