Most of the news cycle involving the New York Mets is focused on whether the organization will re-sign homegrown slugger Pete Alonso. But could president of baseball operations David Stearns pull off a huge trade with the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher Dylan Cease and infielder Jake Cronenworth?

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Mets’ interest in acquiring the right-handed hurler on Thursday.

New York Mets executive David Stearns
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns walks on the field before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on…


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“The Mets showed they don’t like long-term deals for pitchers when they didn’t pursue Max Fried or Corbin Burnes, but they’ve been trying for Padres rental ace Dylan Cease (and presumably would also consider rotation mate Michael King),” Heyman wrote.

What if Stearns could land Cease in a deal while simultaneously getting a potential Alonso backup in Cronenworth? The “True Mets Talk” podcast shared the following hypothetical swap on X (formerly Twitter):

  • Mets receive: starting pitcher Dylan Cease and infielder Jake Cronenworth
  • Padres receive: outfielder Starling Marte, utility player Jeff McNeil, starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, and infielder Marco Vargas

Unloading Marte and McNeil would give the Mets some salary relief while filling out their rotation. Cronenworth has mostly played second base during his career but has appeared in 245 games at first base. He’s signed through 2030 as part of a seven-year, $80 million deal, while Cease is due $13.75 million in 2025 before he reaches free agency.

As for the Padres, they’d get two players who could help the team in 2025, clear future salary commitments and land two of New York’s top 15 prospects, according to MLB.com.

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