MLB Insider builds Reds-White Sox trade package for Dylan Cease

Could the Cincinnati Reds actually pull off a blockbuster trade for Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease? Former Reds GM Jim Bowden believes they can.

Now a writer for The Athletic (subscription required), Bowden answered a mailbag question from a subscriber regarding a possible trade involving Cease and the Reds.

Bowden believes that Cease to the Reds makes a lot of sense, and even went so far as to propose a trade package for Chicago's ace.

What might the Reds have to give up in order to trade for Dylan Cease?

Would Jonathan India to the Chicago White Sox be enough for the Cincinnati Reds to land Dylan Cease? Probably not. But Jim Bowden threw in another prospect that he thinks could be enough to seal the deal.

Bowden proposed that a combination of India and Ty Floyd, the 38th pick in last year's MLB Draft, could be enough for the White Sox to let Cease go.

For those Reds fans who are prospect-huggers, parting with Floyd would be a tough pill to swallow. But for the section of the Reds fanbase that wants to see the club add an ace, giving up India and Floyd might be worth it.

Cease has been a popular name, not only among the Cincinnati faithful, but other fandoms as well. The Chicago White Sox are seen as a major seller this offseason, and Cease would be an improvement for almost every team looking to add a starter this winter.

Cease is coming off a down-year. After finishing among the top vote-getters in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award race, Cease went 7-9 with an ERA of 4.58 in 2023. However, the 27-year-old has proven to be a durable starter the past three seasons and has 667 strikeouts over 97 starts.

Dylan Cease's name will continue to be one that emerges in trade talks for the remainder of the offseason. With the free agent market beginning to take shape, trades could be on the horizon.