The Chicago Cubs have made a few moves to strengthen their roster, with the biggest one being the trade for Kyle Tucker. However, they may not be done just yet, and could still look for ways to improve in 2025.
The North Siders could potentially look into adding some starting pitching help. This could be done via trade or free agency.
The San Diego Padres may be shopping right-hander Dylan Cease, who is entering the final year of his contract. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports listed the Cubs as a potential landing spot for him.
“One year of control means Cease’s market will be limited to contenders. The Astros, Cubs, Mets, and Orioles are obvious fits,” Axisa wrote.
Cease was drafted by the Cubs in the 6th round in 2014. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Jose Quintana in 2017.
With the South Siders, Cease established himself as a frontline starter and he was ultimately traded to the Padres last spring. In what could prove to be his only season in San Diego, the 29-year-old right-hander went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts.
Cease also pitched 189 1/3 innings and recorded 224 strikeouts. If he were to join Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele at the top of the Cubs rotation, Chicago could be a serious threat to win the National League Central in 2025, as the rotation would be among the best in baseball.
Chicago looks better already heading into 2025, but adding Cease could allow them to drop the hammer on the rest of the NL Central, which is a relatively weak division.
We’ll see what the Cubs have planned in the coming weeks.
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