White Sox Want Three Top-100 Prospects For Potential Dodgers Trade Target: Reports
Pitcher Dylan Cease is still under contract to the Chicago White Sox, though not for lack of effort on the part of any other teams.
Since November, reports have linked Cease to multiple teams in trade talks, including the Dodgers. Apparently the sense of urgency that fueled those reports has faded, to the extent the White Sox were eager to make a deal at all. The Dodgers pivoted to a new trade target and acquired Tyler Glashow from the Tampa Bay Rays instead.
With the White Sox appearing on the verge of a rebuild, Cease could still be on the trading block. Now, there is some indication of the kind of package Chicago general manager Chris Getz would want in return.
Jason Williams of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported the White Sox’s discussions with the Cincinnati Reds involved three prospects ranked in the Top 100 by MLB Pipeline: Rhett Lowder (41), Edwin Arroyo (57) and Connor Phillips (68). Lowder (45) and Phillips (86) also made appearances on Baseball America’s last top 100 list in September.
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score previously reported the Sox asked for a four-player trade package from the Reds: Lowder, Petty, as well as two position-player prospects.
Technically, the Dodgers did not trade any prospects to Tampa Bay for Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot; pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca had enough major league service time to graduate from “prospect status.” Both players can help the Rays immediately. It was a 2-for-2 swap involving four major leaguers.
The White Sox, who aren’t looking to contend in 2024, would not be interested in such a package. Fortunately the Dodgers still have several strong trade candidates on their 40-man roster and in their minor league system.
Infielder Michael Busch, 26, and second baseman Miguel Vargas, 24, might be the most expendable. By signing designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and moving Mookie Betts to second base, the Dodgers blocked two of the best paths to playing time for Busch and Vargas in 2024.
Busch and Vargas would be attractive additions to most teams. But the scope of Chicago’s discussions with Cincinnati suggest Getz might demand additional, younger talent to bolster his farm system in any trade involving Cease.
Busch is currently ranked 44th by MLB Pipeline. Dalton Rushing, a 22-year-old catcher, is the Dodgers’ top-ranked prospect at No. 43 overall. Catcher Diego Cartaya (56), pitcher Nick Frasso (65) and pitcher Gavin Stone (79) are the other Dodgers prospects ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. Among them, only Rushing is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Outfielder Josue De Paula, 18, might be the Dodgers’ most attractive trade chip for a team planning a long-term rebuild. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, De Paula slashed .284/.396/.372 at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2023, his first experience with a full-season minor league affiliate. He isn’t a consensus top-100 prospect, but that could change in the months to come as evaluators update their priors on De Paula.
The Dodgers’ front office might also feel the additions of Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lessens the need for Cease. The 27-year-old right-hander is 43-35 in his career with a 3.83 ERA and has two seasons remaining before he’s eligible for free agency. The Southern California native offers a combination of durability, skill, and youth that is rarely found in the trade or free-agent markets.
Although our understanding of the asking price for Cease is still limited, it’s now safe to say he won’t come cheap.
Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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In 2025 the Dodgers rotation will gain Ohtani, Gonsolin, Dustin May and maybe Kershaw to add to Yamamoto, Buehler (who might go away in 2025), Glasnow, Miller, Sheehan. I hope Sasaki (who might become the ace of the staff) will come in 2025 or 2026, too, to join Ohtani and Yamamoto. And they have several viable options at OKC. So they need a trade or free agent acquisition for one year only. Cease has 2 years left on his contract. Burnes has one year left. Burnes won’t sign an extension. Go for someone who can win a playoff game but they only need such a pitcher for one year.
Rather have Shane Bieber esp if a blockbuster with Bieber and Clase is in the offing.
You are telling us you don’t know shit about baseball without saying that you don’t know shit about baseball. Bieber is cashed.
Cease has way better stuff than Bieber, but Bieber has better command. Cease is much like a righty version of Chris Sale. Only way more durable.
Love Cease
Love Bieber
Love anyone who performs and reaches their potential
We have
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Buehler
Miller
Sheehan -we could stash him at AAA
Kershaw-he’ll be back
May-should be a closer
Gonsolin-will have to be moved
Frasso- will be up sooner than later
Stone-was very green last season
Is there space for Cease or Bieber??
The FAs don’t cost us prospects
Next year Ohtani. I hope we don’t decide we can do without Buehler. Don’t run him off
In 2022 Roberts removed an obviously frustrated Scherzer who stormed off the field and walked past Kershaw and I could read his lips he said “ I’m outta here”. That was before he got hurt. But I knew he wouldn’t come back to the Dodgers
Thankfully he didn’t.
They already have a bunch of solid RH starting pitchers, why not look into a LH ace type of pitcher to balance the rotation. Otherwise you know the opposition will stack the lineup with LH bats for the whole series.
Urias is gone, Kershaw is unknown, and Yarborough is not an ace.
people in Hell want ice water, too.
Cease has way better stuff than Bieber, but Bieber has better command. Cease is much like a righty version of Chris Sale. Only way more durable.
After 2024 we have Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Miller and who knows maybe Buhler. Let’s get a good left fielder vs great pitcher. You never need more than 4 starters in October often just 3
No guarantee on who will be healthy come October.
Since the Dodgers have very good catching depth in the minor leagues, isn’t time to move Will Smith to third base? Right now they are very weak defensively at the hot corner. Why not save the wear and tear on his body? It’s been done before with at least a couple of fairly good catchers — Johnny Bench and Joe Torre — as well as several other catchers. Will Smith, I believe, would be a good defensive third baseman and could fill in at catcher.
What makes you so sure will will be a good 3rd baseman? because you think so? lol