What’s next for Padres trade pieces after avoiding arbitration?

Now that both Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez have both signed one year deals to avoid a potential arbitration hearing, any uncertainty about their future as Padres should be out of the question, right? Well not quite, as even though both are technically Padres for the 2025 season, Cease and Arraez have been subject to some of the most talked about trade pieces on the market, and the San Diego front office has made it known they are looking to shop the two.

Cease signed his deal close to the deadline, inking a one-year, $13.75 million deal to make 2025 a contract year for him. Arraez signed his deal with a little more time to spare, another one-year deal that brought him $14 million, also a contract year for him.

Both Cease and Arraez could still be dealt

Signing a deal to avoid arbitration was practically a given for both Cease and Arraez. They each had limited contracts when brought over and were part of a win-now strategy from AJ Preller, have both been subject of numerous trade talks, and would rather not go through the process of an arbitration hearing only to be traded away right after.

For Arraez, the possibility of a trade seems much more likely. Swirling rumors have linked the annual trade piece to both New York teams, with a hypothetical Yankees trade seeing pitcher Marcus Stroman headed to San Diego. If that were the case, San Diego could see the addition of another pitcher who can show flashes of brilliance. However Stroman struggled in his first year in the Bronx, putting up a 4.31 ERA and a 1.468 WHIP, both his highest marks over the past four seasons.

If a trade involving the Yankees were to go through, San Diego would be looking for more than just Stroman. A prospect, cash to eat away at Arraez's new contract, or another arm to help fill some gaps in the Padres pitching staff could be just what they need. A recent headline from SNY.tv has also listed the Mets as a potential Arraez landing spot, going as far as to say he is better suited to play in Queens. The possibility of Pete Alonso's departure has Mets fans looking for first base and designated hitter options, and Arraez can be both.

As for Dylan Cease, his trade situation seems to be stalling. After MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported last month that the Padres were open to Cease trade talks, the Boston Red Sox were the first team to make their voices heard. Following their division rival Yankee's blockbuster Max Fried signing, the Red Sox are surely looking to improve their starting rotation.

Baltimore has also been keeping a Cease deal on their radar, although their reason for wanting the 2022 Cy Young runner-up may be exactly why the Padres want to keep him. After losing their ace Corbin Burnes in a surprise move to the Diamondbacks, the Orioles are looking to revamp their rotation. However, now faced with a division with steadily growing pitching talent, the Padres may be reluctant to deal Cease if it's not exactly what they are looking for.