Dodgers Rumors: White Sox ‘Listening’ on Ace Dylan Cease

With just a few hours until the trade deadline cut off time, the Dodgers are still on the hunt for one more starting pitcher — preferably someone with ace-level stuff. The club had been linked to former Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, but he’s now heading back to the Astros. Another name that has been explored is White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease who now, according to reports, is fully available on the trade market.

At least in the right deal.

MLB analyst Bruce Levine reported this morning that Chicago is willing to move anyone on their roster, save for outfielder Luis Robert.

The Dodgers, of course, have already swung one deal with the south siders in recent days, acquiring starter Lance Lynn and reliever Joe Kelly in a five player swap last week. Cease is the superior arm to Lynn but also comes with a higher price tag in terms of prospects that would be needed to get a deal done.

The 27-year-old hurler is under team control for two more years and has the best chance of being a difference maker in any team’s starting rotation going forward.

Again, with Verlander now off the table, Cease is the only guy left with true ace level stuff. The Dodgers seem to be more likely to acquire Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez than Cease, if anyone at all.

Our Noah Camras discussed the Dodgers’ need to acquire Cease in a column here.

The deadline cut off time is 3 PM PT.

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