Reds' possible pursuit of Dylan Cease trade could be interrupted by this NL rival

Dylan Cease has been a popular name already this offseason. After the Chicago White Sox traded away Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito at the August 1st trade deadline, it's been assumed that Cease would be available this winter.

The Cincinnati Reds have been a rumored destination for the right-hander. With Chicago's desire to restock its farm system, and Cincinnati's prospect depth, the two sides seem like natural trade partners.

But according to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox in an attempt to acquire Cease.

The Dodgers, not the Reds, are in trade talks for White Sox starteer Dylan Cease

Dylan Cease is coming off a down-year in 2023. But the Chicago White Sox hurler was in the Cy Young conversation in 2022. The 27-year-old was 7-9 this past season with a 4.58 ERA, but posted a 14-8 win-loss record in 2022 and owned a sparkling 2.20 ERA.

If the Cincinnati Reds were to swing a deal for Dylan Cease, the right-hander would immediately become the team's ace. Cease has two years of team-control remaining, so whichever team is fortunate enough to secure his services will have him through 2025.

There's a lot of chatter among Reds fans about their desire to see the team pursue an ace to partner with the young crop of talented starters already on Cincinnati's roster.

Free agents like Sonny Gray and Blake Snell will cost an arm and leg, so the best solution to upgrade the roster may come through a trade. Dylan Cease, along with Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Bay Rays, are among the most likely starters who'll be moved this winter.

If these latest rumors from Bob Nightengale are true, the bidding has already begun for the Chicago White Sox frontline starter. There's a chance a deal could get done before the MLB Winter Meetings, and at the moment, the Cincinnati Reds are not part of the conversation.