Orioles prospects the Padres must target in hypothetical Dylan Cease trade

It isn't quite clear what the Padres want to do this offseason. San Diego has the current talent to contend for the playoffs once again, especially if they acquire one or two more players to bolster the roster.

Though they may seem to be on the precipice of winning, there are hints that the Friars might actually start over and look to rebuild in order to let go of some hefty payroll.

Several Padres have seen their name hit the rumor mill, including All-Star pitcher Dylan Cease. Now, if Cease actually gets traded, then it is pretty telling that San Diego is trying to move on from their current roster in a shocking pivot to the future. Cease has been connected with the Orioles ( as well as other clubs) in a potential trade, and if Baltimore wants him then they will have to send over a haul of prospects to make it worthwhile for San Diego.

Orioles prospects the Padres must target in hypothetical Dylan Cease trade

The Padres already nabbed an Oriole this offseason, taking 24-year-old pitcher Juan Nuñez in the Rule 5 Draft. If Cease were to be traded, the Padres may as well keep it rolling with Baltimore, who has a great pool of prospects.

Baltimore has two prospects in the MLB Top 100, and the Padres would hope that one of these players are included in the deal. Coby Mayo (No. 8) and Samuel Basallo (No. 13) are versatile infielders who could fill a few Padres needs.

Both can play first base, which Jake Cronenworth occupied for most of the 2024 season. Cronenworth, however, could make the move to second base if San Diego lands Mayo or Basallo, which would then push Xander Bogaerts to his natural spot at shortstop, especially with Ha-Seong Kim now gone.

Mayo, 23, is also a third baseman and can play the hot corner whenever Machado might need a day at DH. Mayo was called up late in 2024, but he only appeared in 17 games. In 89 games with Triple-A Norfolk, he proved that he was MLB ready after slamming 22 home runs and 23 doubles.

Another plus for Basallo is that he is a catcher, too. With Kyle Higashioka gone, the Friars are stuck with Luis Campusano, who isn't necessarily going to help matters. Basallo, 20, spent most of 2024 with Double-A Bowie, but was called up for 21 games in Norfolk. Across two levels, he muscled 19 home runs and 25 doubles in 127 games. His defensive flexibility and offensive prowess should definitely have the Padres interested.

If neither of these two players are available for trade, then maybe San Diego looks into Baltimore's pitching prospects. Left-hander Luis De León would be an intriguing project pitcher. He has some control issues, but his 106 strikeouts in 87 2/3 frames as a southpaw are very telling of what he can become. If you get him working with Ruben Niebla, he could be dominant by the time he is MLB ready.

The Orioles have consistently had one of the best farm systems across Major League Baseball. So if the Padres are actually going to reduce payroll and let go of some All-Stars, then maybe it makes the most sense to spin a deal with Baltimore. Odds are, one of their prospects will turn into a stud. Just look at Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, or Colton Cowser. This organization can definitely develop prospects into great players.