Dodgers Eye Dylan Cease as Key Free-Agent Target to Bolster Rotation

The Los Angeles Dodgers are exploring options to strengthen their starting rotation ahead of the 2026 season, and right-hander Dylan Cease represents an ideal target. Despite a down 2025 campaign with a 4.55 ERA in limited action, Cease’s underlying skill set and track record of durability make him one of the more compelling free-agent pitchers on the market.

Cease’s 2025 season may have temporarily suppressed his value, but evaluators across baseball recognize his potential to rebound. Teams in search of a reliable, high-upside starter can view this as an opportunity to acquire an ace-caliber pitcher without committing to the largest long-term contracts typically reserved for elite arms.

The Dodgers already feature significant talent on their roster, but depth in the starting rotation remains a strategic concern. Historically, Andrew Friedman’s front office has not hesitated to make aggressive, calculated acquisitions, and Cease fits that model—a seasoned pitcher with proven durability and swing-and-miss stuff available at reasonable market rates.

Structuring a deal for Cease requires balancing competitiveness with fiscal responsibility. A carefully designed contract could provide Los Angeles with a durable, high-quality starter while preserving financial flexibility for future roster moves, particularly as they aim to defend their World Series titles.

1. Cease’s Market Value

Cease is projected to command a five-year contract in the neighborhood of $145 million, or roughly $29 million annually, reflecting his track record and entering his age-30 season. This valuation positions him as a premium talent who remains affordable relative to the generational deals handed to elite free agents. The 2025 season is considered an outlier, as Cease has averaged 33 starts per year throughout his career, demonstrating both durability and consistency. His ability to deliver innings while generating strikeouts provides tremendous value for a rotation in need of reinforcement. For the Dodgers, acquiring a pitcher like Cease offers a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. They can add an established starter without committing to contracts comparable to the massive deals given to recent elite pitchers, allowing them to maintain flexibility for other offseason moves. San Diego, meanwhile, faces its own challenges. With Yu Darvish sidelined for the 2026 season due to reconstructive elbow surgery, the Padres’ rotation will be severely weakened. While San Diego extended Cease a qualifying offer of $22.025 million for one year, he is expected to seek a multi-year deal on the open market, making the Dodgers a realistic landing spot.

2. Contract Strategy for Los Angeles

To successfully lure Cease, the Dodgers could offer a five-year, $160 million contract, translating to $32 million in average annual value. This exceeds his projected market rate while remaining manageable within Los Angeles’ organizational framework, avoiding the scale of generational contracts like Juan Soto’s $765 million deal. This approach allows the Dodgers to secure a durable, high-upside starter while keeping payroll flexibility intact. Cease would join a rotation already reinforced by returning contributors from 2025 and prospects like River Ryan and Gavin Stone returning from surgery, providing a deep and reliable corps of pitchers. Friedman and the Dodgers have pursued Cease for years, including an attempt to involve a third team in a blockbuster trade with the White Sox during the 2023-2024 offseason. With Cease now a free agent, the Dodgers have a prime opportunity to finalize a deal that has eluded them in the past. The proposed five-year, $160 million deal strikes a balance between competitiveness and fiscal prudence, enabling Los Angeles to acquire one of the top starters in the free-agent class without overextending resources.

3. Impact on Dodgers’ Rotation

Adding Cease would significantly strengthen the Dodgers’ starting rotation, providing a proven arm capable of anchoring the staff. Paired with a core that includes returning contributors from the 2025 championship team, the addition positions Los Angeles to maintain dominance in the National League. The move also signals the Dodgers’ intent to remain aggressive in pursuing championships. Securing a top-tier free agent reflects the organization’s commitment to supplementing homegrown talent with high-quality acquisitions when opportunities arise. For 2026, Cease offers both reliability and upside, combining a track record of innings with swing-and-miss capabilities that can influence outcomes in high-stakes games. His addition would provide balance to the rotation while alleviating concerns about starting pitching depth. Ultimately, the Dodgers’ pursuit of Cease exemplifies the team’s calculated approach: targeting undervalued yet elite talent to sustain a championship window without compromising future flexibility.