EPIC Showdown Unleashed! Mets and Yankees Engage in Intense Battle for Ace Trade! ⚾🔥#MLBTradeWars #MetsVsYankees

The Mets, alongside the Yankees, are actively involved in the pursuit of Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. While not considered the favorites, the Mets are exploring Cease as a potential addition to their rotation, weighing the White Sox’s asking price of “three premium prospects.” Cease, a 28-year-old right-hander, will become a free agent in 2026, making him more than a one-season rental. MLB Trade Rumors projects Cease to earn $8.8 million in arbitration this offseason.

Earlier reports from The Athletic suggested that the Yankees are sincere in their pursuit of Cease, but they are not the front-runners. The Baltimore Orioles are considered a strong fit due to their high-end minor league system. The White Sox are engaged with multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox, though specific prospects involved in discussions remain unclear.

Cease, known for his hard-throwing style and wipeout slider, posted a 4.58 ERA/3.72 FIP in the last season, striking out 27.3% of the batters faced, ranking ninth among major league starters. He has consistently thrown over 165 innings in each of the past three seasons, with a standout 2022 season where he finished as the AL Cy Young runner-up with a 2.20 ERA. Throughout his career, Cease maintains a 3.83 ERA and boasts the ninth-highest strikeout rate (29.8%) over the past three seasons.

Despite the Mets’ additions of Luis Severino and Adrian Houser to the rotation this offseason, which already includes Kodai Senga, José Quintana, and Tylor Megill, there is recognition that more work is needed to compete in the competitive NL East against teams like the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.