The Toronto Blue Jays could be at risk of losing key players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette after next season, prompting them to consider making a bold move to enhance their chances of winning in 2025 by acquiring a superstar via trade.

Blue Jays Eye Dylan Cease in Potential Trade

In a recent piece on Bleacher Report, Zachary D. Rymer suggested that the Blue Jays could look to trade for right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres, proposing the following deal:

Blue Jays receive: Dylan Cease (RHP)
Padres receive: Yariel Rodríguez (RHP) and Ricky Tiedemann (LHP)

Rymer noted, “With the Blue Jays now weighing alternative plans, their focus should be on Cease. His performance has fluctuated, but over the last four seasons, he holds a 3.52 ERA and averages 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Though Cease is only under contract through 2025, the Blue Jays are in a position to go all-in for 2025.”

Tiedemann, a top-tier prospect for the Blue Jays, was ranked as the No. 32 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2023 and currently sits as Toronto’s No. 4 prospect. If traded, Tiedemann could become a cornerstone piece for the Padres’ future rotation. Given that Cease is set to become a free agent after next season, the Padres might be eager to acquire talent before potentially losing him for nothing.

The Blue Jays were reportedly willing to invest in Corbin Burnes, and could do the same with Cease, either acquiring him through trade and then extending him before he hits free agency. Spotrac projects Cease to sign a five-year, $108 million deal in free agency. Last season, Cease posted a 3.47 ERA with 224 strikeouts, earning fourth place in the NL Cy Young race, after finishing as the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2022. With four straight seasons of 30-plus starts, Cease would provide stability and elite performance to the Blue Jays’ rotation. Pairing him with Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt could give Toronto a formidable pitching staff for 2025 and beyond.