Evaluating the prospect package the Padres surrendered in the Dylan Cease trade

Grading the Padres in the Dylan Cease trade

The Padres got a good pitcher in Cease without question. Reasonable people can disagree as to whether or not he has ace potential or if he is more a solid No. 2/No. 3 starter that misses bats, but the guy clearly has arm talent. While he does represent an immediate upgrade to the Padres' rotation, the cost for a guy who has seen his stuff tick downward in recent years leaves something to be desired.

Giving up a top 100 prospect who probably would have gotten reasonably close to what Cease will give on the mound in Thorpe hurts the move here, as that removes an arm from San Diego's rotation that would have been valuable depth alongside Cease. Zavala could end up a top 100 prospect if he continues to progress at the plate, and Iriarte has as much raw potential as anyone in this trade --including Cease. It feels like the Padres forced this deal to make SOMETHING happen, but they paid a heavy price for what might turn out to be a relatively small net gain.

Grade: B-

More Padres News from Friars on Base