The Houston Astros’ “dream acquisition” prior to Major League Baseball’s Aug. 1 trade deadline is Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
On this morning’s appearance on MLB Network, Heyman was asked about the upcoming trade deadline and a variety of topics. One final team that came up in the above clip was the Houston Astros, who, according to Heyman, are seeking rotation help. While the Astros are “definitely looking at” Marcus Stroman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, and Cease’s teammate Lucas Giolito, Heyman went so far as to say that Cease would be the team’s “dream acquisition” if they could get a deal done. However, the club’s asking price for Cease does remain “massive.”
Previously Heyman has mentioned that the White Sox are considered to have four untouchable players: Cease, Luis Robert Jr, Eloy Jimenez, and Andrew Vaughn. However, Heyman did mention that the team hasn’t gone so far as to say “untouchable” – but rather, close to untouchable as it gets.
Cease has two years of arbitration remaining after this season and will be eligible to test free agency following the 2025 campaign. It is unlikely, however, that the White Sox will entertain a large contract for Cease, given their history of free-agent deals for starting pitchers.
The Astros are currently without Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jose Urquidy in the rotation and are awaiting injury news on Framber Valdez. With an injury-plagued starting staff, the reigning champs are 52-42, 3.5 games back of the first-place Texas Rangers and currently occupying the final AL wild-card spot. In order to hang onto their tenuous hold of a playoff spot, the Astros will certainly be one team to expect to get help this Trade Deadline in their rotation.
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Eloy and Vaughn should both be trade bait.
There should be no untouchables from the Sox perspective. They are being delusional if they think they can compete in 2025 and any time soon. With this lousy ownership, moronic front office and inept minor league system… it is just not possible.
I’ve seen and heard the rumors… Astro’s want Cease and Robert Jr. Sox need to consider this deal very seriously. Cease is a Boras client… his is good as gone in 2025. Robert will benefit going to an organization that can actually handle injured players. And, knows how to manage injured players (unlike the inept Sox).
If this was not the clown-show of Hahn, Williams & Ebenezer Reinsdorf…. any other shrewd GM could probably get two or three top picks and several fringe picks. The haul would be decent and infuse the minor league system.
But since the Sox are afraid of loosing any trade, they don’t have the stones to pull this off.
Idoits like Heyman and others in the comments that are thinking that Sox should trade someone like Robert or Cease is ridiculous. Heyman will say anything to draw attention and other’s are hoping to make there team better by making up ridiculous scenarios. You build a team with young in control players you don’t trade them away!
Cease is gone in 2025… not much control left. The only way they can retool is if Ebenezer Jerry opens the checkbook and signs legit players. That ain’t happening. Their farm system is now ranked worse than before after the recent draft.
There is no quick fix. Sox won’t be competitive in 2025 or beyond until there is new ownership. One that cleans house and does a proper rebuild from the minors up to the front office.
If you think otherwise…. you need to tell the physiologist the med are not working.