Despite ongoing interest from other teams in the South Side ace, Chris Getz appears reluctant to trade him away.
Dylan Cease has emerged as a prominent topic in the offseason’s free-agent discussions, and for good reason. With a career 3.83 ERA, a second-place finish in Cy Young voting, and consistent placement in the top 5-10 for strikeouts, he stands out. His slider is particularly impressive. White Sox GM Chris Getz, however, has yet to come across a trade offer compelling enough to warrant parting with one of the league’s top pitchers. While trade discussions between the White Sox and Yankees have intensified recently, as of now, no deal has been reached.
Earlier in the week, Bob Nightengale of USA Today also indicated that New York is actively seeking to enhance their starting rotation. This effort comes alongside their existing pitching lineup featuring Gerrit Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortés, and the newly acquired Marcus Stroman. This pursuit is particularly crucial given the injury challenges faced by Rodón, Cortés, and Stroman in the previous year. Additionally, Dylan Cease, who is still in his prime at 28 years old, adds another layer of consideration. Despite the possibility of making a significant impact by adding two Cy Young winners, such as the available Blake Snell, the Yankees are inclined towards a more budget-friendly option. Their goal is to remain competitive in the challenging AL East division while staying within the constraints of the Competitive Balance Tax.
Various “mock trades” have been circulating, with even the Baseball Trade Values website prominently showcasing a trade between these teams on its homepage for the past week.
Naturally, I felt compelled to delve deeper into the details of this trade.
Yankees fans appear to be responding positively to this trade, but White Sox fans, including myself, are likely more cautious about a trade heavy on prospects and lacking a player ready for immediate MLB action, potentially carrying some risk.
In his article, Nightingale highlights that the White Sox are standing firm on their stance, insisting on a deal that includes the Yankees’ top prospect, outfielder Spencer Jones. Predictably, the Yankees are hesitant to part with Jones, opting to take the risk that Cease replicates his 2022 performance. Encouragingly for White Sox fans, Chris Getz appears resolute in defining the necessary return for the trade to materialize.
The Yankees have a compelling reason to hold onto Spencer Jones, particularly after his impressive performance, including a home run, in his initial Spring Training at-bat. His remarkable play has continued over the first three games, registering five hits (including the home run) in seven at-bats. He has walked once, struck out only once, and boasts an impressive slash line of .714/.778/1.143. While acknowledging the limited nature of Spring Training statistics, the combination of his 6´6´´ stature and potent power makes him reminiscent of Aaron Judge, albeit as a left-handed batter who also has the potential to steal 40 bases in a year.
The Players:
Considering the Yankees’ reluctance to part with Jones, let’s explore alternative options within the hypothetical trade outlined above:
Roderick Arias – Shortstop
Roderick Arias, positioned as the fourth-best prospect in the Yankees’ system according to FanGraphs, stands out as the primary asset in this speculative trade scenario. Acquired from the international draft in 2022 at the age of 18 from the Dominican Republic, Arias faced initial challenges during his debut year in the DSL. However, he made significant strides in 2023, posting an impressive slash line of .267/.423/.505 with six home runs and 26 RBIs across 27 games in the FCL. Despite showcasing considerable potential, his progress has been hindered by injury setbacks in his first two seasons, preventing him from completing a full minor league season as of yet.
Upon learning about Arias’ injury history, my concerns were immediately triggered, especially considering the White Sox’s recurrent struggles with injuries in recent years. However, it appears that the injuries may not be overly worrisome. Another factor for Chicago to weigh is the current plan for Colson Montgomery to assume the role of the starting shortstop on the South Side in the coming years. This raises the question: “How does Arias fit into this equation?” Is there a possibility of him transitioning to second base, potentially providing a solution to that persistent issue? Granted, this scenario would unfold several years from now and may not even be a viable option, but the hope for a full-time, high-quality starting second baseman remains a persistent dream.
Everson Pereira – Outfielder
Everson Pereira received a call-up to the majors in the concluding weeks of the previous season, following the Yankees’ elimination from playoff contention. As highlighted by our counterparts at Pinstripe Alley, his brief stint of 27 games was described as “unappetizing at best.” Woof.
During his brief tenure after the call-up, Pereira’s slash line left much to be desired at .151/.233/.194, accompanied by a challenging strikeout rate of 43%. However, his performance in the minors showcased a more impressive display. Starting the season in Double-A, where he featured prominently, he achieved a noteworthy .907 OPS before earning a promotion to Triple-A. In Triple-A, his batting average saw an uptick, coupled with a .937 OPS. Despite playing fewer games in Triple-A, he almost matched his home run tally (eight compared to ten in Double-A), clearly demonstrating his ability to perform at a higher level.
Is there potential for Pereira to develop and mitigate his elevated strikeout rate while adapting to MLB pitching? At present, the White Sox can ill afford another outfielder shuttling between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season, akin to Danny Mendick’s 2022 experience.
Clayton Beeter – Starting Pitcher
Beeter, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher drafted in 2020, has thus far exclusively pitched in the Minor Leagues. In 2023, he logged 131 ⅔ innings, starting 26 of his 27 games, and achieved an overall 3.62 ERA spanning both Double-A and Triple-A. While facing stiffer competition in Triple-A, he encountered a bit more struggle, reflected in a 4.94 ERA compared to 2.08 in Double-A. However, he also demonstrated an ability to induce swings and misses at an efficient rate by striking out 13 more batters in Triple-A. Given his youth, there is ample time for his development, and there are already signs of progress, such as a nearly 3 mph increase in his fastball velocity, averaging closer to 96 compared to 93 the previous year.
Ben Rice – Catcher / First Base
Ben Rice adds an intriguing aspect to this trade, although the White Sox may not necessarily require another player in the 1B/DH mold. The distinctive factor lies in Rice being a left-handed power hitter with a propensity for low strikeout rates – a valuable asset for the Sox. In 48 Double-A games, he showcased his power by belting 16 homers and maintained an impressive 1.049 OPS. Such offensive production from a catcher would be unprecedented for the White Sox since Yasmani Grandal’s standout performance in 2021.
Anticipated to spend the majority of the year in Triple-A, Rice could be on the cusp of a Major League debut within a few years. In the White Sox farm system, apart from Edgar Quero, there is limited potential for promising catchers, especially considering Korey Lee’s challenges in making solid contact during his call-up in 2023.
With all considerations taken into account, would the White Sox proceed with this deal? Despite the excitement and potential displayed by some of these players, my inclination is to say no. The White Sox aren’t in immediate contention this year, making it logical to capitalize on Cease’s value if they aim to compete in the upcoming years. However, there’s no urgency to trade away Cease without maximizing the return. Waiting until June or July, when teams competing for the playoffs may be more desperate, could allow Chris Getz to secure a more favorable deal and get better value for Cease if the opportunity arises.
Additionally, I strongly prefer him not going to the Yankees. That mustache is absolutely essential.
Other teams may still be in the market for a pitcher who could potentially make a move before the season kicks off. Dylan Cease’s contract for 2024 is only $8 million, and some teams might be willing to invest that money. However, the crucial question remains: Are they prepared to part ways with their top-rated prospects to facilitate such a deal?
