Major League Baseball’s free agency and hot stove season has officially arrived, signaling the beginning of one of the most exciting times on the baseball calendar. Teams are preparing to make major moves that could shape their futures, while players explore new opportunities and potential paydays. The Boston Red Sox, who were one of the more aggressive teams during the 2024 offseason, are expected to remain among the most active front offices this winter. After last year’s big push to reestablish themselves as true contenders in the American League, the organization now enters another crucial offseason with its sights set on returning to the World Series for the first time since 2018.
During the previous offseason, Boston’s front office made several headline-grabbing moves that energized the fan base. The Red Sox signed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to solidify the heart of their lineup and added veteran closer Aroldis Chapman to bring experience and power to the bullpen. In addition, the club completed a blockbuster trade for Garrett Crochet, one of baseball’s most electric young pitchers. Those moves represented a clear commitment from Boston’s leadership to compete at the highest level again, and for most of the 2024 season, they looked like legitimate contenders in the American League race.
Now, as the 2025 offseason begins, the Red Sox front office is once again tasked with filling key roster holes and building on last year’s progress. One of the more pressing issues involves their pitching staff, specifically the starting rotation. Veteran starter Lucas Giolito was not extended a qualifying offer by the team, which makes him a free agent. However, reports indicate that Giolito still has an interest in returning to Boston, where he felt comfortable last season. Should the Red Sox fail to re-sign him, though, it would leave a noticeable gap in the rotation one that will need to be addressed if the club hopes to contend for a championship.
This situation has naturally led to speculation about potential targets, and one name continues to surface: Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres.
Red Sox Linked to Padres’ Ace Dylan Cease
The San Diego Padres face a series of difficult roster decisions this offseason, with several key contributors approaching free agency. Perhaps the most notable is Dylan Cease, the hard-throwing right-hander who has become one of baseball’s most intriguing arms. MLBTradeRumors.com recently projected that Cease could land a seven-year, $189 million contract, reflecting both his durability and his immense strikeout potential.
In that same report, multiple contributors offered their predictions on where top free agents might land. Two of them—identified as Tim and Darragh believe that Cease will ultimately sign with the Boston Red Sox. Such a move would make perfect sense for both sides: the Red Sox need another frontline starter to complement Garrett Crochet, and Cease is looking for a contending team that values his skill set and upside.
Dylan Cease is one of the most electric pitchers in baseball when he’s locked in. His 97.1 mph average fastball velocity ranked sixth among all qualified starters this past season, and his slider has become his most devastating weapon. In fact, Cease’s slider was rated as the most valuable in baseball in both 2022 and 2024. He even wrote a playful poem about the pitch earlier this year, highlighting his confidence and personality on the mound. Interestingly, Cease now throws his slider more often than his fastball, showcasing his ability to adjust and evolve as a pitcher.
Despite some inconsistency, including a 4.55 ERA this past season and a higher-than-average walk rate, Cease remains one of the most desirable arms on the market. His track record of health and consistency is particularly appealing to teams like Boston. Cease has made at least 32 starts in each of the past five seasons, demonstrating impressive durability in an era when many pitchers struggle to stay healthy. He has also struck out 200 or more batters in each of those five campaigns. His 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2024 led all Major League starters, and his 29.7% strikeout rate placed him among the game’s elite swing-and-miss artists.
Why Dylan Cease Fits Boston Perfectly
For the Red Sox, signing Cease would represent both a continuation of their aggressive team-building strategy and an investment in one of the league’s premier strikeout pitchers. Pairing him with Garrett Crochet would instantly give Boston one of the most overpowering one-two punches in the game. Crochet is coming off a breakout season in which he is widely expected to finish among the top three finalists for the American League Cy Young Award, and adding Cease would provide another ace-caliber arm to anchor the staff.
The idea of having Cease and Crochet leading the rotation is tantalizing for Red Sox fans. Both pitchers are capable of missing bats at an elite rate, and both feature dominant fastball-slider combinations that can overwhelm hitters. In a division where they must regularly face lineups like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles, having strikeout-heavy pitchers at the top of the rotation could be a major advantage.
Moreover, Cease has a history of bouncing back from down years, something that speaks volumes about his resilience and ability to adjust. For instance, after posting a 3.91 ERA in 2021, Cease rebounded in 2022 with a 2.20 ERA and finished second in the Cy Young voting. Then, following a 4.58 ERA in 2023, he again made adjustments and lowered his ERA to 3.47 in 2024. That kind of consistency and bounce-back ability is exactly what a team like Boston would value.
Adding Cease would not only strengthen Boston’s rotation but also provide much-needed stability. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the Red Sox pitching staff over recent years, and the front office knows it can’t afford to enter another season without a reliable core of starting arms. A rotation built around Crochet, Cease, and potentially Giolito (should he return) would give the Red Sox the kind of depth and upside that could rival any team in the league.
The Broader Offseason Outlook
Of course, adding Cease won’t be Boston’s only objective. The Red Sox front office, led by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, has emphasized balance and depth across the roster. Beyond pitching, Boston could also look to add another right-handed bat to complement their lineup and a reliable setup man to bridge the gap to Chapman in the ninth inning.
But there’s little doubt that starting pitching will remain the primary focus. The Red Sox understand that in order to compete deep into October, elite pitching is non-negotiable. The American League landscape is filled with strong rotations from the Houston Astros’ depth to the New York Yankees’ star power—and Boston needs to keep pace.
Financially, the Red Sox are well-positioned to make another splash. Ownership has signaled a willingness to spend in order to win, and a long-term investment in Cease would fit perfectly within that vision. A seven-year deal worth nearly $190 million is steep, but for a 29-year-old pitcher entering his prime, it could prove to be a smart long-term play.
There’s also the matter of fit and environment. Fenway Park has traditionally been a challenging place for pitchers, but Cease’s strikeout-heavy style could mitigate some of the ballpark’s offensive tendencies. His ability to generate swings and misses rather than rely on contact would help him thrive even in a hitter-friendly setting.
A Potential Rotation of Power
If Boston manages to land Dylan Cease, the 2025 rotation could shape up as follows:
- Garrett Crochet (LHP) – The emerging ace, poised to contend for Cy Young honors after his breakout season.
- Dylan Cease (RHP) – A proven strikeout artist capable of dominating any lineup on a given night.
- Lucas Giolito (RHP) – If re-signed, a steady veteran presence with playoff experience.
- Brayan Bello (RHP) – A promising young starter still developing his command and consistency.
- Kutter Crawford (RHP) or Nick Pivetta (RHP) – Depth options with versatility to fill rotation or bullpen roles.
Such a rotation would not only be formidable but also balanced in terms of handedness, power, and experience.
What It Means for Boston’s Future
Bringing in Cease would signal that the Red Sox are serious about chasing another championship. After a few rebuilding years and some mid-tier finishes, Boston is once again positioning itself as a premier destination for star players. Their mix of veteran leadership, young talent, and a passionate fan base creates an environment that many free agents find appealing.
If the Red Sox are able to finalize a deal with Cease, they’d have one of the strongest starting staffs in baseball and could enter 2025 as a legitimate favorite in the American League. The combination of a deep lineup, revamped bullpen, and an elite front-of-the-rotation duo could be the perfect formula to propel them deep into the postseason.
As the offseason unfolds, Dylan Cease’s free agency is expected to be one of the biggest storylines in Major League Baseball. His next destination could shift the balance of power for several teams. For the Boston Red Sox, the chance to add an arm of his caliber might be too enticing to pass up. With an already talented roster and a front office eager to win now, signing Cease could be the final piece that transforms the Red Sox from contenders into favorites when the 2025 season begins.
