Nick Castellanos used to be a third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds and now he is taking his first base talent to San Diego. As reported yesterday, Castellanos and the Phillies parted ways after four heart wrenching seasons that ended with a beer in the Philadelphia dugout during June of last year.
Tag: Padres
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Dylan Cease Signs 7 year, $210 million with Toronto Blue Jays
Cease has signed the dotted line with the Toronto Blue Jays worth 7 years, $210 million. This deal comes with deferrals and eliminates any possibility of the top-arm on the market signing elsewhere.
Cease had one of the best strikeout rates last year behind Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet which made him an intriguing option. There were rumors Cease was always a moving target that had not gone to the Houston Astros during the MLB Trade deadline.
Instead, Cease declined the $22 million qualifying offer from the San Deigo Padres and was offered more money. The Toronto Blue Jays are being criticized for the move that will see Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer come off the books.
Bringing in Cease now, will eliminate any stigma around the Toronto Blue Jays that there in it to win now and re-sign Bo Bichette. Kyle Tucker is another option but the wealth of talent has been mostly criticized.
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2025 NL Postseason: Wild Card series Predictions
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinatti Reds
Will Smith and Max Muncy should be ready to go and help Los Angeles steer in the right direction. Stunningly for them, they play Cincinnati who has Elly de La Cruz entering his first postseason and there is nobody like him.
Until, they can expose de La Cruz and their pitching staff to the postseason more, this will be a no big for Los Angeles as they enter in first place of the NL West at 93-69.
Prediction: Dodgers in 2
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
It is easily the Chicago Cubs (92-70) but not so fast. The Padres are better home than they are away. Mike Shildt had this to say about the series.
“There’s not another ballpark, I would say, that can be any trickier than Wrigley,” manager Mike Shildt said. “We’re aware of it.”
The Padres finished with a 38-43 record on the road. There is reason to believe, however, they will take advantage of Chicago’s long drought deficit at home since 2017.
We shall call it the aftermath leading into departures such as Kyle Hendricks, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, and Kris Bryant.
That team was special, not here.
Prediction: Padres in 3.
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Why The Padres Should Not Trade Dylan Cease
It is being rumored that the well respected Dylan Cease might be traded. That is blasphemy to my ears.
Interestingly enough, Cease has not been casted for the MLB All-Star game. He has been runner up for Cy Young and no such deceiving clue. Cease still has one of the best fastballs unless critics say it is aging.
Now, the Padres always like to jump when a situation like this occurs but Cease is throwing a 4.79 ERA even though he pitched a solid game in front of new scouts in attendance the other day.
The Padres would be wise to seek out a process for somebody who can wrap around San Diego for the better part of his age 29 season. San Diego might not be the most ideal place on everyone’s list but look at Houston who is rumored to surpass the luxury tax limit and excite the mind of chairman Jim Crane for a second consecutive season.
Surrounding Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez with Cease would spark a fire in Cease with his fastball rate and ability to strikeout hitters. His walkout rate is his lowest ever and it is safe to say he would be an asset with his totality of Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP).
Cease is a highly reliable pitcher known for his time with the Chicago White Sox and Padres and the Astros would just try to add to the collection of others previous such as Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke. Those two were heat throwers just like Cease’s 97 MPH.
You could argue if any team trying to snatch Cease‘s $14 million rental bargain will be successful. Paul Skenes is flame throwing a 0.67 ERA in the month of July but he will demand a ton of money. The question remains.
Will the San Diego Padres retain especially for what is supposedly entering the fieldhouse of Rob Manfred cap space?
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