With less than 48 hours from the MLB trade deadline, the hot stove is heating up in the baseball world. For the Houston Astros, aside from their interest in an Isaac Paredes replacement, they have a starting pitcher need that they want to address.
Their top choice, and primary trade target, is San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease. Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic revealed the connection between Houston and Cease, and now, another MLB insider has a bold take on the interest in Cease.
During an appearance on Foul Territory, former MLB general manager and MLB insider, Jim Bowden of The Athletic, shared a bold take on the Astros’ pursuit of Cease at the deadline.
Dylan Cease to the Astros will probably happen, says @JimBowdenGM. đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/SBtAfVaGGL
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 30, 2025
“The Dylan Cease thing,” Bowden said. “I think, will probably happen.”
It’s a bold stance for Bowden to take. He’s not just predicting that the Padres trade Cease to the Astros, but that the trade “will” happen. Even with the caveat that it’s just him “thinking,” it’s still a noteworthy insight from an MLB insider.
Cease would be a nice third starter for the Astros behind Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown. This season, Cease has a 4.79 ERA and a 3-10 record. While a normally concerning outlook, Houston has experience turning starters with poor records around.
Last season, the Astros acquired Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays when he had a 4-9 record with a .475 ERA. In the 10 starts after joining the Astros, he had a 2.70 ERA and a 5-1 record.
MORE:Â Astros eyeing Padres 4.79 ERA starter as primary trade target
If general manager Dana Brown believes that they can do a similar thing with Cease, then a trade makes a lot more sense for Houston. While the Padres aren’t selling low on Cease, they won’t be able to get as much as usual due to his struggles this season.
But, while Cease has struggled, he is still one of the best strikeout artists this season. He has 153 strikeouts in his 22 starts in 2025, fourth in all of baseball this season, behind some of the Cy Young candidates from the NL and AL this season.
Houston is looking for a third starter, and Cease is a player they have as a primary trade target. But, even so, Bowden’s prediction that this trade “will” happen is a bold one.
With a day left before the deadline, the Astros and Padres will have to be watched closely for a potential Cease trade, as there’s a substantial amount of smoke about a potential deal.
MORE MLB NEWS:
