Dodgers Eyeing Dylan Cease as Key Addition to Bolster Starting Pitching
President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, confirms the team's pursuit of quality starting pitching this offseason.
In their quest to fortify their starting pitching rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers are setting their sights on the promising right-hander Dylan Cease. After experiencing a challenging National League Division Series (NLDS) loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where the starting pitchers managed just 4.2 innings, securing quality starters is now a top priority for the team.
Key Takeaways:
- President of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, affirms the Dodgers’ intention to pursue starting pitchers through free agency and trades.
- Dodgers insider J.P. Hoornstra suggests the possibility of acquiring a starting pitcher through both trade and free agency, including Dylan Cease.
- Dylan Cease, who displayed remarkable talent in 2022 with a career-best 2.20 ERA, remains a prime target for the Dodgers.
In a recent interview on the daily Dodgers Dougout show, J.P. Hoornstra shared his insights into the Dodgers’ offseason plans. He mentioned that the team is exploring options in both free agency and the trade market to address their starting pitching needs. Hoornstra even went on to suggest that Dylan Cease, who was nearly acquired by the Dodgers before, might still be on their radar.
Cease’s name emerged as a trade target for the Dodgers before the deadline, with many believing he could be the missing piece to bolster the team’s starting rotation. While the deal didn’t materialize, Cease’s subsequent struggles in the second half of the season with the Chicago White Sox have left some room for optimism. A change of scenery and the opportunity to play for a contender like the Dodgers could rejuvenate his performance.
One intriguing aspect of pursuing Cease is his contract situation. He remains arbitration-eligible until 2026, offering the Dodgers several years to evaluate his fit within the team before committing to a long-term extension.
“Cease is a guy who comes to mind on a team that’s in an obvious need of a rebuild,” Hoornstra said. “He’s a front of the line starter. There aren’t a lot of guys like that out there who check all those boxes. But I think we can’t rule that route out sitting here today.”
At just 27 years old, Dylan Cease possesses the qualities of a frontline starter. His impressive 2022 season, where he recorded a career-high 184 innings with a stellar 2.20 ERA, showcased his capabilities as a staff ace. Over the past three seasons, Cease consistently made 32 to 33 starts, highlighting his durability, a valuable asset for any pitching staff.
Comparatively, the Dodgers’ 2023 season saw Clayton Kershaw lead the team with 24 starts and 131.2 innings pitched, underscoring the need for a reliable frontline starter.
While Dylan Cease may appear to be a “buying lower” option due to his 4.58 ERA in 2023, his potential resurgence in a contender’s environment is undeniable. The Dodgers, armed with a wealth of prospects, including promising talents like Michael Busch and numerous pitchers from their Double-A and Triple-A rotations, have the resources to pursue top-tier pitching.
With a crop of young, burgeoning talent already integrated into their rotation, the Dodgers have a unique opportunity this offseason to make a significant acquisition that could reshape their pitching landscape. Dylan Cease, with his proven abilities and potential for growth, remains a compelling target for the Dodgers as they aim to return to championship contention in the upcoming seasons.
