The New York Mets have already completed a significant offseason overhaul, making moves that have the potential to reshape their roster and push them closer to championship contention. However, despite adding veteran pitcher Frankie Montas and reliever Clay Holmes—whom the Mets plan to convert into a starting pitcher—the Mets’ starting rotation is still considered by some to be a bit thin, especially with their World Series aspirations bolstered by the blockbuster signing of outfielder Juan Soto.
The current Mets rotation would be led by their ace, Kodai Senga, with David Peterson and Paul Blackburn as primary options, along with Montas and Holmes, who will attempt to transition into starting roles. While these additions provide depth,many would argue that this setup could result in a noticeable drop-off in comparison to their 2024 pitching staff, which featured experienced veterans like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.
In light of their ongoing pursuit of postseason glory, the Mets are reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring another frontline starting pitcher. Recently, a trade proposal by Josue De Jesus has surfaced, which could see the Mets land San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease in exchange for a package that includes highly regarded Mets prospects Luisangel Acuña, Ryan Clifford, and Blade Tidwell.
Cease, who has posted a respectable 3.75 ERA across six big-league seasons, has been one of the most consistent starters in the game. His 2024 season, spent with the Padres, was particularly strong, with the right-hander maintaining a 3.47 ERA over 33 starts. His performance earned him votes for both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. As Cease enters his final year of contract arbitration eligibility, the Padres may view him as a valuable trade chip, one that could bring in controllable talent and help them build for the future. Spotrac, a reputable sports contract tracking site, has projected that Cease could secure a five-year, $108 million deal on the open market.
Despite the fact that Cease could potentially be a one-year rental, acquiring a player of his caliber would likely require a strong trade package. The Mets would need to offer up significant prospects in return, but this is something that could be worth it, considering their ambitions for a deep postseason run. In this proposed deal, the Mets would part with three of their top prospects: Luisangel Acuña, Ryan Clifford, and Blade Tidwell.
Luisangel Acuña: A Potential Star in the Making
Luisangel Acuña, who is widely regarded as one of the Mets’ top prospects, could be the key player in this trade package. Acuña, who has shown flashes of big-league potential, made a brief but promising appearance in the majors during the 2024 season. In 39 at-bats, he posted a remarkable.308/.325/.641 slash line, providing hope that he could develop into a valuable asset for the future.
The Padres would likely be intrigued by Acuña’s upside. As the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., Luisangel has drawn comparisons to his sibling due to his exceptional speed, raw power, and strong defensive abilities. With the Padres looking to remain competitive while retooling their roster, Acuña offers an MLB-ready talent who could contribute immediately at the big league level, whether in a bench role or as a future starting player.
De Jesus pointed out that “To land Cease, the Mets must find an MLB-ready talent that allows the Padres to remain competitive, so Luisangel Acuña is an ideal option.” Acuña’s inclusion in this trade could give the Padres the talent they need to remain strong in the near term while still receiving a substantial return for a potential one-year rental in Cease.
Ryan Clifford: A Top-100 Prospect with Versatility
In addition to Acuña, the Mets would likely offer Ryan Clifford, another one of their highly regarded prospects. Clifford has emerged as one of the top-100 prospects in baseball, largely due to his potential as a versatile hitter who can play both in the outfield and at first base. This flexibility would make him a valuable asset for a Padres team that is always looking to strengthen its roster depth.
Clifford has demonstrated strong power potential, and while he may not be ready for an immediate call-up to the majors, he offers a high upside and could be a key building block for the Padres’ future. With his potential to develop into a middle-of-the-order bat, Clifford could be the type of player that the Padres need to add to their farm system to help replenish their talent pool.
“Ryan Clifford is a vital option for the trade due to his value as a top-100 prospect with the ability to play in the outfield and first base,” De Jesus noted. Clifford’s positional versatility gives him value not just as a prospect but as a player who can step in at various positions, which could be crucial for the Padres as they continue to shuffle their lineup.
Blade Tidwell: The Right-Handed Pitcher with Potential
The third piece of the Mets’ proposed trade package is Blade Tidwell, a right-handed pitcher who is currently ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the Mets’ system. Tidwell has the potential to become a key member of a major league rotation in the future, and his inclusion in this deal would give the Padres a young arm with significant upside.
Tidwell’s fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s, and he has a sharp slider that has generated a lot of swing-and-miss. While he still needs to refine his control and consistency, Tidwell has shown enough potential to make him a desirable piece for any team looking to build for the future. For the Padres, Tidwell could either become a future rotation arm or a valuable trade asset that could be flipped for other pieces down the line.
A Comparable Package for Cease
The trade proposal for Cease is roughly in line with the one the Padres sent to the Chicago White Sox ahead of the 2024 season. In that deal, the Padres acquired Cease in exchange for a combination of prospects that helped solidify their future while adding a proven starting pitcher to their rotation. Now, with Cease entering the final year of his contract arbitration eligibility, the value of acquiring him is slightly lower, but he remains a proven commodity who has consistently posted strong numbers and demonstrated durability throughout his career.
Given the rising costs of starting pitching, acquiring a front-line arm like Cease is not an easy task, but the Mets have the resources to make such a deal happen. With their ambitious World Series goals, adding a player of Cease’s caliber could be the kind of move that pushes them over the top.
What the Mets Stand to Gain
If the Mets are looking at 2025 as a “win-now” season, this proposed deal could be an ideal move for them. Cease’s presence in the rotation would provide them with a reliable, durable arm at the top of their rotation. He has the potential to be a true ace and help lead the Mets’ pitching staff to the next level. Pairing him with Senga, Montas, and Holmes would give the Mets a deep and talented rotation that could compete with the best in baseball.
The Mets have already shown a willingness to make bold moves, as evidenced by their signing of Juan Soto. This trade for Cease would further solidify their commitment to competing for a championship in 2025, and the addition of Acuña, Clifford, and Tidwell could be seen as a fair price to pay for a one-year rental who could help them win now.
The Padres’ Perspective
From the Padres’ point of view, this trade would allow them to acquire a package of young talent that could help them remain competitive while also building for the future. Acuña and Clifford both offer MLB-ready talent, while Tidwell provides them with an intriguing pitching prospect who could contribute down the line.
With Cease entering the final year of his contract arbitration eligibility, the Padres may feel that trading him now is their best option, especially if they do not plan to extend him in the future. By landing this package of prospects, they would receive a solid return that could help them strengthen their roster for years to come.
Conclusion: A Win-Win for Both Teams?
The proposed trade between the Mets and Padres is an intriguing one, with both teams seemingly poised to benefit from the deal. For the Mets, landing Dylan Cease would significantly improve their rotation and give them a reliable arm to anchor their staff. For the Padres, the addition of young, talented prospects like Acuña, Clifford, and Tidwell would help replenish their farm system and provide them with pieces that could contribute to their future success.
While this trade is still in the proposal stage, it represents the kind of bold move that could define both teams’ offseasons. For the Mets, it could be the final piece in their championship puzzle, while for the Padres, it could be a chance to build for the future while still remaining competitive in the present. As the offseason continues to unfold, both teams will likely continue to explore trade options that could push them closer to their respective goals.
