The San Diego Padres are interested in Sandy Alcantara and are considering trading Dylan Cease.

Dylan Cease out, Sandy Alcantara in? As the trade deadline nears, Padres GM A.J. Preller is looking for exact plans for maneuvering.

According to reports from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and others, the Padres are willing to listen to trade offers for Cease. Heyman revealed that the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets have reached out to the Padres regarding the right-hander.

When ESPN reporter Alden Gonzalez wrote yesterday that Preller might trade pending free agents to reallocate resources, Cease emerged as a potential target—this move is due to budget constraints and a weak farm system. ESPN's Buster Olney echoed this sentiment today, reporting that Cease has become an "unexpected candidate in the starting pitcher market."

Left field is widely seen as the Padres' biggest need, hence the team's connections with Jarren Duran of the Red Sox and Steven Kwan of the Guardians.

However, if trading Cease, they still need a replacement starter to compete in 2025. Here, Alcantara could be crucial. The Athletic's Dennis Lin reported today that the Padres are one of several teams inquiring about the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner—previously, Alcantara pitched his best start of the season against the Padres, with Cease as the opposing starter.

Alcantara would not only fill the rotation spot vacated by Cease this year but could also contribute in the final two seasons of 2025. Cease's contract is expiring soon, while Alcantara's deal extends through next year with a team option for 2027. Alcantara's salary of $17 million this season is slightly higher than Cease's $13.75 million, but the difference in the last two months of 2025 will be under $1.1 million.