The Atlanta Braves need to add starting pitching to a rotation that struggled with depth in 2024. Chris Sale was elite, winning the National League Cy Young Award. Max Fried was elite, but he’s since signed with the New York Yankees. Reynaldo Lopez was good when he was healthy, which seems to be the only thing limiting his potential. Charlie Morton is also a free agent and he seems unlikely to re-sign with Atlanta.

The Braves could use a blockbuster trade to bring a starting pitcher in and the San Diego Padres are the perfect trade partner. FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently pitched the idea of the Braves trading for Padres ace Dylan Cease this offseason. Cease is projected to make $13 million in 2025 before he’s projected to sign a $108 million deal in free agency next winter, per Spotrac.

“But the main reason Cease is drawing such interest is because of his 2022 performance. That year, Cease finished as runner-up in the AL Cy Young voting, putting up a magnificent 2.20 ERA even though he led the MLB in free passes with 78,” Mountz wrote. “If the Braves can revive his 2022 performance, which seems possible given their coaching staff has done incredible things over the years, the Braves will have a championship-caliber team. Cease is owed $13 million next season before becoming a free agent.”

A trade for Cease would be quite costly. It would likely begin with one of the Braves’ top pitching prospects, though Atlanta would likely hold onto both Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver if possible. Players like Bryce Elder and Hurston Waldrep could be moved to San Diego as the Padres listen to these offers. Atlanta would need to move even more talent to acquire Cease. While nothing is reportedly being discussed, this is the kind of trade that makes a lot of sense.