Dan Hayes and Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported that the Twins and Padres have discussed multiple big-league trade opportunities, including Cease.
Cease has finished in the top 5 for Cy Young voting in two seasons and could provide the Twins with the rotation anchor they need to contend deeper into October. However, landing Cease won’t come cheap and he’s on an expiring contract, which is something this front office hasn’t targeted before. Below are three potential trade scenarios the Twins could propose to pry Cease away from the Padres.
Trade Scenario 1: A Prospect-Laden Package
Twins Receive: SP Dylan Cease
Padres Receive: IF Luke Keaschall, SP C.J. Culpepper, OF Yasser Mercedes
This deal focuses on the future of the Padres, as they would receive three high-upside prospects in exchange for their ace. Keaschall, the Twins’ second-round pick in 2023, projects as a versatile infielder with excellent bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility.
His stock is at a high point after a breakout campaign in 2024, where he posted a .903 OPS between High- and Double-A. Culpepper is a polished pitching prospect who has impressed in the lower minors with his control and strikeout potential.
Meanwhile, Mercedes offers dynamic tools in the outfield, including speed and raw power, making him a potential high-impact player down the line.
For the Twins, the appeal is clear. Cease would slot in as the team’s ace, giving them a formidable 1-2 punch with Pablo López. It would be tough for any AL team to match this duo when it comes to matching up in the playoffs. By parting with this package of prospects, Minnesota would avoid sacrificing immediate big-league contributors while focusing on their contention window.
Twins Receive: SP Dylan Cease
Padres Receive: OF Trevor Larnach, SP Chris Paddack, SP Andrew Morris, UTL Austin Martin
In this scenario, the Padres acquire a blend of major league-ready talent and minor-league depth. Larnach, a former first-round pick, has shown flashes of his potential but hasn’t cemented himself as a regular in the Twins’ lineup.
A change of scenery could unlock his offensive upside.
Paddack is very familiar to Padres fans as he comes with some risk but could provide innings for San Diego if healthy while offsetting part of Cease’s salary. Morris, a rising pitching prospect, adds depth to the Padres’ farm system, and Martin’s versatility could make him a useful piece in their roster construction.
San Diego has some holes in their roster’s backup roles, and this adds three players who can immediately join their 26-man roster for Opening Day.
For the Twins, this deal is about maximizing their rotation’s potential without gutting their farm system entirely. Moving Paddack’s salary helps facilitate the trade, and Cease would immediately elevate the Twins’ pitching staff. Though Larnach and Martin have value, neither has a locked-in role with the team moving forward.
Trade Scenario 3: Starters and Salary Swap
Twins Receive: SP Dylan Cease
Padres Receive: IF José Miranda, C Christian Vázquez, SP Zebby Matthews, IF Edouard Julien
This proposal pairs controllable young players with a veteran to help offset Cease’s salary. Miranda has shown
flashes of his potential, but injuries have impacted his overall production. He offers the Padres a controllable bat who could thrive with a fresh start.
Vázquez’s inclusion provides a veteran presence and helps San Diego’s catching depth. There have been rumors that the Padres are interested in acquiring Vázquez. Matthews, a rising pitching prospect, adds to San Diego’s farm system, and Julien brings another big-league-ready left-handed bat with exceptional on-base skills and positional flexibility.
For Minnesota, acquiring Cease would justify moving multiple young, controllable pieces. The Twins would also lean on Ryan Jeffers to increase his time behind the plate, which would be a change in philosophy for a team that has relied on a catching duo.
This deal demonstrates an evident “win-now” mentality while giving the Padres a mix of current contributors and long-term assets.
Cease represents a rare opportunity for the Twins to acquire a true ace without entering the free-agent frenzy. The Twins also expected to have a new owner during the 2025 season, which could allow Minnesota to approach Cease with a long-term contract extension.
While the cost of any trade will be steep, Minnesota’s front office has the pieces to construct a deal that works for both sides.
Whether it’s a prospect-heavy package, a blend of big-league contributors and salary relief, or a mix of young stars and veterans, the Twins have multiple paths to land Cease and fortify their rotation for 2024 and beyond. The question is whether the Padres are willing to deal their star pitcher and if the Twins are ready to make a bold move to win the offseason.
Which trade works best for both teams? Would the Twins need to include more in a trade? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
