The New York Mets were predicted to sign a right-handed starter, who is a candidate to earn a $100 million contract this offseason.
Mets Predicted to Sign Struggling Ace 'Probably' Worth $100 Million originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Mets have dealt with injuries to their starting pitching rotation throughout the 2025 MLB season. To add more depth to next year's rotation, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller predicted the Mets to make a big splash in free agency this winter.
On Monday, Miller listed right-hander Dylan Cease, along with Arizona Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen, as the most likely candidates to land a contract worth more than $100 million.
"Each of these starting pitchers presently in his age-29 season finished top five in a Cy Young vote in two of the past three years and entered 2025 looking destined to become very rich upon reaching free agency for the first time," Miller wrote. "Instead, they've both struggled mightily and may at least be tempted to accept the one-year qualifying offers coming their way this winter in hopes of entering free agency more emphatically 15 months from now."
Instead of a qualifying offer, though, Miller projected Cease to sign a deal with the Mets.
Miller linking the Mets to Cease shouldn't come as a major surprise. A few different baseball insiders reported the Mets were involved in trade discussions to acquire the right-hander at the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
The Padres, though, ended up keeping Cease.
The Padres are reportedly listening on trades for RHP Dylan Cease, per @JonHeyman.
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 23, 2025
The Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Red Sox are among teams to check in. pic.twitter.com/HrJnmrka5C
Cease finished second in Cy Young voting during the 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox. Then last season, the right-hander was fourth in Cy Young voting during his first Padres campaign.
If Cease receives a nine-figure salary this offseason, it will be because the Mets, or whatever team that signs him, expects the right-hander to be a Cy Young candidate going forward.
But this season, Cease is struggling with a 4-10 record and 4.60 ERA. That ERA is the highest of his career since his rookie 2019 season.
Cease's other statistics, though, are more favorable. The right-hander owns a 3.52 FIP and NL-leading 11.8 K/9 rate. He also has a 1.297 WHIP, which is about in line with his career norm in the category, across 123.1 innings.
In seven MLB seasons, Cease is 61-56 with a 3.86 ERA, 10.9 K/9 rate and 1.258 WHIP in 179 starts.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
