REPORT: Yankees still interested in Dylan Cease trade but under one caveat

According to reports, the New York Yankees are still interested in dealing for Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox before spring training, but only if the deal excludes their best prospect.

In anticipation of the 2024 season, pitchers and catchers from all 30 MLB teams have already started spring training in the southern states. After unexpectedly placing fourth in the American League East in 2023, the Yankees head into the winter with high hopes for a successful season.

They made a number of significant transactions this winter, such as a blockbuster trade for All-Star Juan Soto and a cooperative free-agent agreement with starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. It was recently disclosed, nevertheless, that the team would have loved to bring in a pitcher who is considered to be among the best this winter. Well, they could still be able to before the season begins.

• Dylan Cease stats (2023): 7-9 Record, 4.58 ERA, 1.418 WHIP, 214 SO, 177.0 IP

The New York Yankees are unwilling to give up Spencer Jones in exchange for Dylan Cease.

Bob Nightengale, an MLB insider for USA Today, shared some intriguing new information on Sunday on the likelihood that the Yankees may soon sign an ace. Nightengale asserted, “The New York Yankees are still open to acquiring Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease.”

There is a possible transaction on hold, though. Spencer Jones is a highly valued outfield prospect that [The Yankees] will not give up. Prior to the Milwaukee Brewers sending Corbin Burnes to Baltimore, they also rejected the Brewers’ request for Jones, the MLB insider reported.

Jones was the top player in New York’s farm system according to MLB.com in 2023. They won’t give him up for a player who has never been an All-Star if they weren’t willing to give him up for Soto. The same deal that enabled the Orioles to acquire Corbin Burnes was apparently insufficient to lure Cease away from Chicago, as reports indicate that the White Sox are demanding a premium price for the 2022 Cy Young candidate.