**Key Takeaways:**
– The San Diego Padres have strengthened their pitching roster by acquiring Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox.
– The trade involved four players moving to the White Sox: Steven Wilson, Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, and Samuel Zavala.
– Dylan Cease brings a remarkable track record, including a career high of 33 starts in 2023 and over 200 strikeouts for three consecutive seasons.
– Cease’s performance has been notably impressive, with a second-place finish in the American League Cy Young voting in 2022.
– Throughout his five seasons in Major League Baseball, Cease has demonstrated consistent excellence, contributing significantly to his teams’ successes.
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In a significant move announced by A.J. Preller, the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, the San Diego Padres have welcomed right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease into their fold. This acquisition from the Chicago White Sox comes at the cost of four talented players: right-handers Steven Wilson, Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, and outfielder Samuel Zavala.
At 28, Cease has already made a name for himself, achieving a new personal best with 33 starts in 2023 and amassing 214 strikeouts. This marks his third year in a row with over 30 starts and more than 200 strikeouts, showcasing his durability and consistency on the mound. Despite a challenging season with a 7–9 record and a 4.58 ERA across 177.0 innings pitched, Cease showed resilience, especially against National League teams, where he boasted a 3.48 ERA over 44.0 innings.
Cease’s prowess was on full display in 2022 when he narrowly missed the American League Cy Young award, finishing second to Justin Verlander of Houston. That year, he notched 14 wins, maintained a stellar 2.20 ERA over 184.0 innings, and led with 227 strikeouts, contributing to a 6.4 fWAR. His performance ranked him at the top in several categories among AL pitchers, including ERA, strikeouts, and opponents’ batting average. Notably, Cease set a Major League record with 14 consecutive starts allowing one earned run or less, a testament to his exceptional skill and control.
Over his five-year Major League career spanning from 2019 to 2023, Cease has compiled an impressive 43–35 record, a 3.83 ERA over 658.0 innings, and 792 strikeouts against 294 walks in 123 starts. Since his full season debut in 2021, he has led AL pitchers in starts and strikeouts per nine innings, underscoring his significant impact on the field.
Cease, who was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 6th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft before being traded to the White Sox in July 2017, will don the №84 jersey for the Padres, signaling a new chapter in his already distinguished career.