New York Yankees Unofficial Site: Latest News, Scores & Team Updates

Tag: MLB free agency 2025

  • Dylan Cease Heads to the Yankees in Blockbuster Trade with Padres

    Dylan Cease Heads to the Yankees in Blockbuster Trade with Padres

    As MLB Opening Day 2025 approaches, Dylan Cease is in the middle of trade talks. Set to hit free agency after this season, Cease is one of the top pitchers in baseball and a prime target for teams looking to add to their rotations.

    For the San Diego Padres, trading Cease before the deadline would be smart, especially since his projected 5 year, $108 million contract is out of their budget. One team that fits perfectly? The New York Yankees.

    The Yankees’ Rotation Desperation

    The Yankees had a terrible 2024 and need to get back on track. With Gerrit Cole out for all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil with a lat strain, their rotation is in big trouble. They added Max Fried but one arm won’t be enough to get through the long MLB season.

    Enter Dylan Cease. The righty had a great 2024, 14-11, 3.47 ERA, 224 K’s, 65 walks. Cease can dominate and be consistent, perfect for the Yankees’ championship aspirations.

    Adding Cease not only helps their rotation for 2025 but also gives the Yankees the chance to extend him beyond this season, lock up a piece of their rotation for years to come.

    Why the Padres need to trade Cease?

    Holding onto Cease is a risk for the Padres. With him a free agent and likely to get a big long term deal he’s a rental at the end of the season. Reports are A.J. Preller is already listening to offers, so it’s more than likely he’s already listening to offers. So a trade is more than possible, it’s likely.

    By trading Cease now the Padres can cash in on his value and get high upside prospects to rebuild their farm system. In today’s MLB where young talent is king the Padres can set themselves up for future success by making a big move.

    Proposed Trade: Yankees Get Dylan Cease

    Here’s what the trade looks like:

    • New York Yankees Get: Dylan Cease
    • San Diego Padres Get: Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr.

    What the Yankees Are Giving Up?

    • Spencer Jones: A highly touted outfield prospect with a ton of power potential but inconsistent development. A gamble for the Padres but with high ceiling.
    • George Lombard Jr.: A utility infielder with speed and defensive upside. Still raw but adds depth to the Padres farm.

    This gives the Padres two young players who could be impact major leaguers down the line.

    How This Helps Both Teams?

    For the Yankees

    • Get a legitimate ace in the rotation.
    • Address their biggest weakness (pitching) and be a 2025 playoff team.
    • Have leverage to extend Cease long term and prevent him from hitting free agency.

    For the Padres

    • Get prospects to build around.
    • Don’t lose Cease for nothing in free agency.
    • Create payroll flexibility to make other moves during the season or next offseason.

    Will the Yankees Do It?

    The Yankees have a history of making big moves to stay relevant and acquiring Cease fits into that. They’ve shown they’ll trade top prospects for impact players (e.g. the Juan Soto trade in 2022). With their rotation in shambles and fans demanding answers, trading for Cease could be the spark they need to get back into the championship conversation.

    As for the Padres, moving Cease now means they don’t get nothing. It’s a win-win if both teams can agree.

  • Yankees Miss Out as Top Third Base Target Signs with Padres

    Yankees Miss Out as Top Third Base Target Signs with Padres

    The New York Yankees are third base problem and it’s a growing one that could get worse as the season goes on. With DJ LeMahieu out again with another injury (no timetable for return yet) the team is left scrambling for answers at a position they didn’t really address in the offseason. The options now? Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera, two guys whose track record doesn’t exactly inspire you to put them in the every day lineup.

    Trading for Nolan Arenado has been discussed but the Yankees have shown no willingness to move the necessary pieces or take on even a portion of his contract. And now one of the more affordable free agents, Jose Iglesias, is off the board after he signed with the San Diego Padres.

    LeMahieu’s Injury: A Disaster for the Yankees

    DJ LeMahieu was supposed to be the Opening Day third baseman, but injuries have become his new reality. Now the Yankees are in a bind, especially with no timeline for his return.

    This is what happens when you don’t address third base in the offseason. Now with LeMahieu out (at least for now) the Yankees are stuck with internal options that many think aren’t up to the task.

    Jose Iglesias: Missed Opportunity

    One name that was floated as an option was Jose Iglesias , the former New York Mets infielder who had a nice 2023. Iglesias hit .337/.381/.448 in 85 games, with a 137 OPS+ and a 3.1 bWAR. He’s not a difference maker, but he’s experienced and reliable. That’s exactly what the Yankees need at a position where they desperately need it.

    But as Robert Murray of FanSided first reported, Iglesias has signed with the San Diego Padres. Jon Heyman of The New York Post says it’s for $3 million if he makes the team, with an additional $1 million in incentives. For a team like the Yankees that’s a low risk, high reward signing. A move that would have softened the blow of LeMahieu’s injury.

    But that ship has sailed. Iglesias is headed to San Diego and the Yankees have fewer options.

    What’s Left for the Yankees?

    With Iglesias off the market and Arenado out of reach the Yankees will have to roll into the season with their current trio: Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera and a limited DJ LeMahieu. None of these players inspire much confidence as everyday starters especially against top competition.

    Peraza and Cabrera have shown flashes but haven’t been able to handle a full load at the big league level. And relying on LeMahieu who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years feels like a gamble the Yankees can’t afford to make.## So What?

    Third base is a major position and the Yankees not addressing it will come back to haunt them. Injuries are part of baseball but not having depth at key positions only makes it worse. The Yankees did nothing in the offseason and now they’re in a tough spot and will have to hope their internal options can step up.

    For a team that’s supposed to win the World Series they can’t enter the season without a third baseman.