According to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Seattle Mariners have entered discussions with the Chicago White Sox regarding a potential trade for right-hander Dylan Cease. It is suggested that the White Sox are seeking a package centered around one of Seattle's cost-controlled righty starters, either Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo.

While there is no indication that a deal is imminent, Nightengale notes that the White Sox seem inclined to retain Cease if an agreement with the Mariners does not materialize before the start of the 2024 season. This aligns with recent reports that have cast doubts on the likelihood of Cease changing teams before Opening Day.

The connection between the Mariners and Cease is a new development this offseason. Previously, the Yankees, Reds, Orioles, and Red Sox were among the teams rumored to have expressed interest in the right-hander. However, teams have been hesitant to meet the White Sox's high asking price for Cease's services. In fact, negotiations with the Reds reportedly involved a request for four of their top prospects, while talks with the Orioles have seemingly stalled.

In their negotiations with the Mariners, the White Sox have shifted their focus from acquiring top prospects to obtaining big-league ready talent. This strategic shift makes sense for the club, as both Woo and Miller are young pitchers with several seasons of team control remaining. Either one could seamlessly step into the rotation and provide long-term stability alongside star center fielder, Luis Robert Jr., who is under team control for the next four seasons.

For the Mariners, adding Cease to their starting staff would potentially give them one of the strongest rotations in the league. Despite a relatively down season in 2023, where he posted a 4.58 ERA in 177 innings pitched, Cease placed second in AL Cy Young award voting just a year prior. Over the past three seasons, he has maintained a solid 3.54 ERA (121 ERA+) and 3.40 FIP with an impressive 29.8% strikeout rate, establishing himself as a reliable #2 starter.

Cease would likely slot in the middle of the Mariners' rotation, behind ace Luis Castillo and young star George Kirby. This move would provide additional certainty in a rotation heavily relying on young players. Currently, the most experienced pitcher in the projected rotation aside from Castillo is Logan Gilbert, who is entering just his fourth season. Both Kirby and the potential trade candidates, Woo and Miller, have limited MLB experience, making Cease's durability and experience valuable to the team.

However, it would be surprising if the Mariners were to part ways with one of their young, cost-controlled arms without addressing areas of greater need, such as the infield. Currently, the team is projected to have Josh Rojas and Luis Urias as everyday starters at second and third base, respectively. Alongside their pursuit of an additional infielder, the Mariners have also expressed interest in bolstering their relief corps, with Andres Munoz and Matt Brash currently serving as back-end options.

Recent comments from Mariners' president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto, suggest that retaining Miller and Woo is their priority for the offseason, indicating that a potential trade involving either pitcher may not be the team's primary plan.

While talks between the Mariners and White Sox regarding Dylan Cease are ongoing, it remains to be seen if the two sides can come to an agreement that satisfies both teams' needs and preferences.