Dylan Cease has been putting doubters to rest at the perfect time. The San Diego Padres right-hander has been dominant in his last two outings, and with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, he’s focused on one thing: proving he’s worth big money this winter. After years of being labeled as a pitcher with electric stuff who couldn’t put it all together, Cease is finally showing why teams will line up to sign him when he hits free agency.
How Will Dylan Cease’s Recent Dominance Impact His Free Agency Value?
The Padres have always been aggressive in their pursuit of talent, constantly searching for pieces to build a championship-caliber team. When they acquired Dylan Cease, they saw a pitcher with elite stuff who could be the missing piece in their rotation. While consistency has been an issue throughout his career and this season, Cease remains anchored at the top of San Diego’s rotation for a reason.
As the trade deadline approached, Cease’s name surfaced in numerous discussions as teams explored potential moves. However, the Padres chose to hold onto their right-handed starter, betting on his ability to make a difference during the final stretch of his contract. That decision is looking smarter by the day.
When Cease enters free agency this offseason, he’ll find himself in high demand despite his up-and-down 2025 campaign. The inconsistency that has plagued him won’t scare away teams looking for frontline pitching, especially if he continues his recent hot streak.
Last offseason provided a blueprint for what Cease might expect. The Boston Red Sox signed Walker Buehler to a one-year deal worth $21 million, even though he was coming off a disappointing regular season. Buehler managed to boost his value with clutch postseason performances, including closing out the World Series for the Dodgers. Cease is already having a stronger season than Buehler, and his value could skyrocket if the Padres make a deep playoff run.
CBS Sports placed Cease seventh among the top free agents available this winter, projecting he’ll surpass Buehler’s $21 million payday. His recent performance suggests that the ranking might be conservative.
Cease has been lights-out in August, making two starts that showcased exactly why teams covet his talent. The timing couldn’t be better as the Padres chase the NL West lead. Over 11.0 innings this month, he’s surrendered just five hits and two runs while striking out 16 batters. This is the version of Dylan Cease that can help San Diego dethrone the Dodgers.
Dylan Cease’s last two starts
11 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 16 K pic.twitter.com/NKiuVqelNx
— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) August 10, 2025
Why Do Teams Continue Paying Premium Prices for Starting Pitchers?
Every offseason tells the same story: MLB teams will open their wallets for pitching talent. The market consistently drives up prices for starting pitchers, even when recent performance doesn’t justify the investment. Buehler’s deal serves as the perfect example. While he didn’t deliver value matching that contract, he commanded that price simply because quality starters were scarce.
Cease will likely find himself at the center of a bidding war this winter, with multiple franchises competing for his services. Money talks in free agency, and he’ll probably sign with whichever team offers the most lucrative package. CBS Sports ranked Cease as the second-best starting pitcher available this offseason, trailing only Framber Valdez in their rankings.
At 29 years old, the right-hander represents both immediate impact and long-term potential for any rotation. His market should be robust, creating the kind of competition that drives contracts to eye-popping levels. The final numbers on his deal will reveal just how much teams value his unique combination of stuff and upside, especially if he continues building momentum through October.