The Padres are in an intriguing position. Their pursuit of Sasaki could provide them with a front-line ace alongside Yu Darvish, potentially giving them the flexibility to deal Cease. Acquired last offseason, Cease has been a key piece in San Diego’s rotation, but financial realities may force the Padres to consider moving him before he reaches free agency after the 2025 season. MLBTR projects Cease to earn $13.7 million in arbitration for 2025, a manageable but significant figure for a team facing payroll limitations.
The Friars current rotation depth is already a concern, with Darvish and Michael King as the only established arms set to return in 2025. Trading Cease without first addressing the rotation would create a noticeable void, but adding Sasaki could change the calculus. If Sasaki joins the Padres, the organization might be more willing to part with Cease to address other roster needs, such as bolstering their outfield or bullpen.
Any trade involving Cease would need to yield “multiple controllable players ” for the Padres. These could include young pitchers or other assets who could step into key roles for San Diego. The Padres’ preference would likely be to reinvest Cease’s salary into the roster, potentially targeting mid-tier free-agent pitchers like José Quintana or Kyle Gibson.
