Cubs predicted to land 4.59 ERA ace originally appeared on The Sporting News

There’s no secret that the Chicago Cubs could use a premium starting pitcher in their rotation. There are several exciting free agent aces that they’ll keep an eye on to address that department in the next offseason. San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease could be one of them.

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Cease is becoming a free agent after this season. While the Padres didn’t trade him at the deadline, they don’t look like the best landing spot, given their limitations on payroll. This leaves the Cubs a fine option to go since they both have the need and the money to sign Cease in the offseason.

In Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Robertson’s way-too-early free agency predictions, the journalist ties the right-hander to the Cubs, citing the club’s need for a right-handed starter.

Dylan Cease’s market value?

Dylan Cease will be one of the exciting free agents to watch next season. He has racked up over 200 strikeouts in each of the past five seasons and while his current season numbers are not inspiring (8-11, 4.59 ERA), the Padres ace might be in for a big paycheck.

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Cease, who is earning $13.75 million for this year, is expected to get a six-year contract worth over $157 million by Spotrac. This means Cease could earn around $26 million salary, which is a 89% surge in his earnings.

At 29, Cease is entering what is often a pitcher’s prime. That makes him an appealing high-investment bet, rather than a fringe gamble. It remains to be seen if the right-hander earns anywhere near the above-mentioned expected contract or does he goes for a lower amount in the offseason.