Potential top Braves' trade target is a very popular name before start of 2025 season

All things considered, the Atlanta Braves don't currently need to make any other moves before the start of the 2025 season. The lineup is pretty much set at this point, all of the rotation spots should be covered even if the exact names are unsettled, and Atlanta has enough viable candidates for the bullpen to make things work at least in the short-term.

However, that doesn't mean there are not more moves that could be made to improve the roster. Most of preferred names already have new teams, but one name that has been floated repeatedly this offseason for the Braves remains available in starter Dylan Cease. While the Padres actually moving Cease isn't a given due to San Diego's own rotation issues and playoff aspiration, the team's financial issues stemming from their ownership squabble leaves a trade a real possibility.

For those that say the Braves just need to pull the trigger and nab Cease, it is not that simple. According to reporting from the New York Post's Jon Heyman, the Padres have received real interest in Cease from at least nine teams around the league which could make a pursuit from Atlanta problematic.

Widespread interest and spring training developments pose real obstacles for a Braves trade for Dylan Cease

On the surface, Cease looks like a great fit for the Braves assuming a reasonable deal can be had. Cease wouldn't come with any long-term payroll headaches as he is entering his last year of team control which should also suppress San Diego's asking price as well. It doesn't hurt that Cease is also a frontline starter talent when he is right and would be a significant upgrade over Atlanta's other options for that last spot in the rotation.

The first problem is that Cease is that guy for a lot of teams around baseball and they are also fully aware of his status. According to Heyman, teams have been lining up trying to convince the Padres to part with Cease including at least the entire AL East as well as the Mets and Cubs. That level of interest could trigger a bidding war in a hurry that the Braves may not be equipped to hang around in.

Part of the issue with the widespread interest in Cease is that the Braves really can't afford to part with the prospect that might be the most appealing to San Diego. The Padres have a bit of a catching problem at the moment and could use some reinforcement there with top prospect Ethan Salas not ready for prime time yet, but the Braves now need catching prospect Drake Baldwin themselves after Sean Murphy's unfortunate rib injury.

Could Atlanta still swing a trade for Cease before the 2025 season? Maybe, but it won't be cheap and the odds don't look great especially given how much interest the Padres are getting from a slew of other motivated playoff contenders.

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