Latest trade rumors prove that Dylan Cease was never really a fit for the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds found out, up-close and personal, why the Dylan Cease trade rumors have reemerged with just a couple weeks remaining before Opening Day. Cease was on the bump last night for the Chicago White Sox and tossed 3.1 innings of two-hit, one-run baseball while striking out eight Reds batters. Yeesh!

While the Reds' offseason acquisitions of Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez have all but removed Cincinnati from the Cease trade rumors, others clubs are reengaging with the White Sox ahead of 2024 season.

Both the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are thought to be in the mix for Ceases services. Yankees' star pitcher Gerrit Cole underwent an MRI and his 2024 campaign could be in jeopardy. The Rangers are without Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and former Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle until at least mid-summer. Both clubs are interested in Cease, but a recent trade proposal shows why the Reds initally passed on the idea altogether earlier this offseason.

Latest trade rumors prove that Dylan Cease was never really a fit for the Reds

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Rangers are contemplating sending a trade package of Ezequiel Duran, Brock Porter, and Jack Leiter to the White Sox in exchange for Cease.

That's a steep price to pay, but for a team looking to repeat as World Series champions with an estimated payroll of $220 million, it's doable. But for an organization like the Reds, who still don't know exactly what they have in terms of all their young talent, it would be more than Nick Krall would be willing to sacrifice for two years of Cease.

The package of Duran, Porter, and Leiter would be akin to the Reds giving up something along the lines of Spencer Steer, Chase Petty, and Cam Collier. That's just more than the Reds would, and should, be willing to surrender in order to trade for Cease.

After the Reds rejected the idea of adding Cease this winter, Cincinnati decided to sign Frankie Montas to a one-year deal and allow their group of Petty, Connor Phillips, Andrew Abbott, Carson Spiers, and Brandon Wililamson to develop.

While excitement surrounding the Reds organization is higher than it's been in over a decade, there are still several unknowns ahead of the 2024 season. Rather than go all-in on 2024 and 2025, the Reds are playing the long-game at the moment. If this team proves that it's champinship-ready by the time the trade deadline rolls around, the front office could be singing a different tune.