The MLB general manager meetings in Las Vegas have officially concluded, and there were plenty of noteworthy developments to digest from the week’s events. To start on a lighthearted note, congratulations are in order for A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres, who reportedly kicked off the offseason in style by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game of pickleball — a fun and unexpected highlight from the gathering of baseball’s top decision-makers.
Beyond the friendly competition, however, the real story to emerge from the meetings centers on a notable shift in the National League Central. One team in particular appears ready to take a bold, aggressive approach in reshaping its pitching staff. The Chicago Cubs are reportedly setting their sights on two high-profile starting pitchers from San Diego who have recently entered the open market: Dylan Cease and Michael King. Both arms have drawn interest around the league due to their talent, experience, and ability to anchor a rotation.
While speculation has swirled for weeks about potential destinations for Cease and King, the conversations in Las Vegas suggest that Chicago may be more serious than most. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins have reportedly been deeply engaged in discussions and analysis, exploring ways to bolster their roster and close the gap in the NL Central. Adding either Cease or King would be a significant step, but pursuing both signals a possible shift toward an “all-in” mentality for the upcoming season.
If these moves come to fruition, they could dramatically alter the balance of power in the division. For a Cubs organization eager to return to postseason relevance, landing top-tier pitching could be the spark that propels them into serious contention. As the offseason continues, all eyes will remain on Chicago to see if this ambitious plan turns into reality.
Cubs bracing for draft-pick hit in pursuit of Michael King and Dylan Cease
The Chicago Cubs appear to see Dylan Cease as a pitcher who can thrive in almost any situation. From their perspective, he is someone capable of getting outs regardless of the circumstances, whether through strikeouts, weak contact, or simply grinding through tough innings. They also believe that his pitching style would be a perfect match for Chicago’s defensive strengths. With one of the best infield defensive units in all of baseball, the Cubs are confident that any contact that is made against Cease could be handled efficiently behind him. This makes him a particularly appealing target as they look to bolster the front of their starting rotation moving forward.
While Cease is clearly high on the Cubs’ list, he is not the only Padres starter drawing significant attention. Michael King is also being closely monitored as a potential fit at the top of Chicago’s rotation. King is viewed internally as a starter with tremendous upside, especially when considering his ability to miss bats, attack the strike zone, and mix his pitches effectively.
Although Cease may be the more proven name at this point in his career, King represents a very attractive alternative, particularly when factoring in cost. It is expected that King will command a smaller contract than Cease on the open market, making him an appealing option for a team that wants elite performance at a slightly lower price point.
However, King’s situation is not without its concerns. The biggest question mark surrounding him is his health. During the 2025 season, King struggled with a shoulder injury that severely limited his availability. As a result, he was able to make only 15 starts throughout the year. For any team considering a significant investment, this raises an obvious red flag. While his talent is undeniable, organizations will have to carefully weigh the risks associated with his recent injury history. The Cubs, like every other interested team, will need to determine whether his long-term upside outweighs the possibility of lingering durability issues.
Beyond the individual evaluations of Cease and King, there is also a recent history between the Cubs and Padres that adds even more intrigue to this situation. In the most recent postseason, it was the Cubs who shattered San Diego’s World Series dreams. The two teams met in the Wild Card Series, and Chicago came out on top with a 2–1 series victory. That result sent the Padres home earlier than they had hoped and abruptly ended their championship aspirations for the year.
Now, just one offseason later, the Cubs appear poised to land an even more damaging blow to San Diego — this time not in October, but in the free-agent market. With both Cease and King hitting the open market, Chicago is expected to be one of the most aggressive suitors for their services. The idea that the Cubs could potentially sign both pitchers is beginning to gain traction, which would be a devastating outcome for the Padres after already losing to them on the field. In a sense, Chicago could be responsible for dismantling a major portion of San Diego’s rotation while simultaneously strengthening their own.
If one were to step into the shoes of Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller, the situation would call for immediate and strategic decision-making. Allowing both Cease and King to walk away without a serious attempt to retain at least one of them would leave a massive void in the organization’s starting pitching depth. Preller, who is known for his aggressive and sometimes unconventional approach to roster construction, would likely recognize that re-signing at least one of these arms should be a priority. Among the two, King may be the more realistic and logical target to bring back, given his potentially lower price tag and his familiarity with the club.
The urgency of the situation is only amplified by the current makeup of the Padres’ rotation. As things stand, it is on the verge of undergoing a significant transformation — and not necessarily a good one. Out of the pitchers who took the mound for San Diego in 2025, Nick Pivetta is the only starter who is currently expected to return and who also delivered consistent, productive results over the course of the season. The rest of the rotation is either headed for free agency, struggling with injuries, or is simply too unreliable to count on as part of a contender’s pitching staff in 2026.
This reality paints a troubling picture for San Diego. A team that had once been anchored by top-tier starting pitching now finds itself facing the possibility of having just one dependable returning starter. Losing both Cease and King would not only weaken the team’s competitiveness in the short term but could also force the front office into desperate and costly measures to fill the holes left behind. Replacing two upper-rotation starters is no simple task, and doing so on the open market often requires either massive financial commitments or the surrender of valuable prospects in trades.
From a financial standpoint, the Padres do have some room to work with. At the moment, the organization is estimated to have approximately $47 million in available payroll space. On paper, that amount could be enough to re-sign one of the two pitchers, particularly King, whose contract expectations are likely to fall below the top-of-the-market range. Still, that payroll space can disappear quickly, especially when factoring in other roster needs, potential arbitration raises, and the desire to maintain flexibility for future moves.
Despite the fact that there is technically enough money available to retain one of them, the signs coming out of the organization so far are not especially encouraging. Industry insiders and early offseason speculation suggest that both Cease and King are preparing to move on and test the open market in search of new opportunities. As of right now, the general belief around the league is that each pitcher will be wearing a different uniform in 2026. For Padres fans, this is a disheartening development, as it signals the end of what could have been a strong and stable top of the rotation.
At the same time, for a team like the Cubs — who are hungry to return to serious championship contention — this situation represents a major opportunity. Adding even one of these pitchers would significantly improve their rotation. Adding both would immediately transform it into one of the more dominant starting staffs in the National League. When combined with an already strong defensive infield and a roster that continues to trend upward, Chicago could be positioning itself as a true powerhouse in the coming seasons.
In conclusion, the future of Dylan Cease and Michael King remains uncertain, but the direction of the conversation is becoming clearer. The Cubs see enormous value in both pitchers and believe each one would complement their roster in different yet equally impactful ways. Cease represents proven durability and dominance, while King offers high-end potential at a more affordable price — albeit with some injury concerns attached.
Meanwhile, the Padres stand at a crossroads, knowing that losing both men would drastically reshape their team’s identity. Though they technically have the financial ability to make a competitive offer, all current indications suggest that the window of opportunity is closing. Unless a sudden shift occurs, San Diego will soon be watching two of its most important arms take the mound for new organizations in the 2026 season.
More MLB News:
-
Breaking News: Guardians To Improve Their Offensive Production With Cardinals All-Star Outfielder
-
BREAKING NEWS: Mariners officially strike again, add bullpen depth trade Luke Heyman to Red Sox in 2-player blockbuster deal
-
BREAKING: Reds Officially Cut Ties with Veteran Arm in Another Trade Chip
-
Done Deal: White Sox strike again confirmed 4-player blockbuster trade
-
Done Deal: Orioles Confirmed Trade For Veteran Angels Outfielder In 2-Player Blockbuster Deal
-
Breaking: Phillies benefit from Twins’ outfield depth as reunion spark
-
Mariners get another significant superstar slugger update
Be the first to comment