Mets eye trade for pitcher Dylan Cease this season

The New York Mets are looking to improve their chances for the World Series after a surprising run last season. They made a big move by acquiring superstar Juan Soto, raising expectations for the upcoming season. However, the team's pitching rotation is a concern. They lost Jose Quintana and Luis Severino during the offseason and brought in Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas as replacements. Montas and Sean Manaea are currently injured, leaving the team's pitching uncertain. Because of these issues, the Mets are seen as a likely candidate for a trade early in the season. Analyst Mike Axisa has suggested they could target Dylan Cease, an ace from the San Diego Padres. He noted that financial constraints for the Padres might lead them to consider trading Cease, especially since they could benefit from acquiring younger, less expensive players. Cease is due to earn $13.75 million in 2025 and is expected to be a highly sought-free agent afterward, with a projected five-year contract worth $108 million. Since Mets owner Steve Cohen has significant resources, the team might be willing to trade some of their younger talent to secure Cease before he enters free agency.