According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are showing interest in San Diego Padres starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King. Earlier this week, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Padres were open to trading King, while trade speculation around Cease has also been growing.
Both pitchers had strong seasons in 2024, making them valuable trade candidates. Cease finished with a 14-11 record, a 3.47 ERA, and a 1.067 WHIP, while King posted a 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.192 WHIP. The Mets have already engaged in discussions with the Padres about both starters.
San Diego’s offseason has been relatively quiet so far, so the emergence of trade interest in Cease and King could provide the team with an opportunity to make moves.
Mets and Braves Pursuing Padres Starters King and Cease
Both the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are expressing interest in San Diego Padres starters Michael King and Dylan Cease. Each pitcher had a strong 2024 season and could be a valuable addition to either team’s rotation.
King’s Appeal
King, 29, emerged as a reliable starter last season and has one year of team control before reaching free agency. This makes him an attractive short-term option for teams looking to strengthen their rotation without committing to a long-term deal. He posted impressive metrics, including an average exit velocity of 85.7 mph, a hard-hit rate of 30.3%, and an offspeed run value of 10, according to Baseball Savant.
The Mets, who have been aggressive this offseason—including their record-breaking signing of Juan Soto—are among the teams in the mix for King. The Braves, also looking to bolster their pitching staff, see King as a potential fit.
Cease’s Strengths
Like King, Cease is 29 and has one year left on his contract. However, his strengths lie in different areas. Baseball Savant data highlights his elite breaking ball run value (17), a fastball averaging 96.9 mph, a 32.4% whiff rate, and a 29.4% strikeout rate.
For the Mets to acquire Cease, they may need to part with some of their top prospects. The Braves, on the other hand, could benefit from his addition without a long-term contract commitment. A Georgia native, Cease could also find a move to Atlanta appealing.
With both pitchers drawing interest, the Padres now have an opportunity to engage in trade discussions and reshape their roster heading into 2025.
