MLB Rumors: Pitcher Linked To Red Sox ‘Going Nowhere’ At Trade Deadline

The Boston Red Sox can explore upgrades for their starting rotation before MLB’s trade deadline. One possible target is reportedly off the table.

Dylan Cease is “going nowhere” on Thursday, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The San Diego Padres also aren’t looking to trade Robert Suárez despite acquiring Mason Miller from the Athletics.

Cease’s name surfaced on the hot stove during a maddening 2025 campaign. The 29-year-old has followed a stellar 2024 by registering a 4.79 ERA and 1.34 WHIP this season.

ESPN still ranked Cease third among its most recent list of top trade candidates, identifying Boston among the best potential fits. The Red Sox reportedly rejected an offer to acquire Cease, a pending free agent, in a deal for Jarren Duran.

Few teams are less predictable than the Padres, so observers wondered if general manager A.J. Preller could take an unconventional route and move Cease. That seems less likely following another all-in transaction.

San Diego traded Leo De Vries, MLB.com’s No. 3 prospect, to the A’s in a package for Miller and JP Sears. The Padres bolstered an already stacked bullpen in hopes of making a playoff push.

An ongoing five-game winning streak may have emboldened Preller to buy. San Diego is three games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the National League’s final wild-card spot and three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Their World Series hopes could depend on Cease rebounding. The durable veteran is on track for his fifth consecutive 200-strikeout season, but he allowed five hits, five walks and five runs in Monday’s comeback win over the New York Mets. Fernando Tatis Jr. saved him from more damage by robbing Mark Vientos of a two-run home run.

It appears the Red Sox must pivot from Cease to other starting pitcher targets. They’re reportedly pursuing Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller.