MLB insider paints dire picture as to how the rest of this offseason could go

If there is one thing Padres fans could collectively agree on as spring training fast approaches is that the team needs to make a move, and it needs to happen sooner rather than later. What exactly that move is could pit fan against fan, as a number of team favorites and key pieces of the Padres 2024 success could be slated for a move.

Padres fans have been living with the fact for weeks now that they may have seen the last of 2024 ace Dylan Cease in the brown and gold, as trade rumors and potential suitors for the 2022 Cy Young runner-up have run rampant. If losing Cease is already not enough to discourage Padres fans, a recent report from MLB insider Ken Rosenthal has floated the idea that both Cease and another of last season's additions, Michael King, could be on the trade block as well.

Cease and King could be gone by Opening Day

In article published by The Athletic, Rosenthal says the Padres desire to trade some of their big names, as well as the multiple teams that have been connected to those names, is limiting the teams desire to make a splash in the free agency market. One of four teams including the Twins, Marlins, and Cardinals not to sign a major league free agent, feelings around the league point to an AJ Preller trade rather than free agency signing as the Padres first big move.

A trade for Dylan Cease seems like a smart option for almost any team in the MLB, giving him a much more realistic chance of departure over King. Over the past four seasons, Cease has thrown the seventh most innings in the MLB, finished in the top 5 of Cy Young votes twice, and led the league in strikeouts per nine once. He is, in almost all aspects, a dominant starting pitcher. Add in the fact he is on a measly $13.75 million contract for 2025, and he would be an absolute steal for any team with the financial stability.

The Padres, unfortunately, do not have that financial stability, a fact that has directly caused the Michael King trade rumors to grow. Unable to reach an agreement to avoid arbitration, the Padres and King could be headed to the teams first arbitration hearing since 2014, over a contract dispute that adds up to roughly $1.5 million. As the Padres struggles through ownership issues that has ultimately been a contributing factor in some players decision not to stay in San Diego, the team has seemed to lose a good amount of bargaining power.

Although he has only spent one season as a full time starter, King's 30 starts in 2024 with a 2.95 ERA and seventh spot in Cy Young voting has proven that San Diego did the right thing in continuing his transition to a starter. Add in his potential very reasonable contract, and much like Cease, King could be available to almost every team in the league.