Chicago, October 26, 2025 – The Chicago Cubs are setting their sights on a blockbuster reunion with Dylan Cease, the flame-throwing right-hander they drafted in 2014, per reports from Athlon Sports and 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine. After a stellar 2025 season with the San Diego Padres—215 strikeouts, 3.47 ERA, and a 97.1 mph fastball—Cease, now a free agent, is poised to be a “game-changer” for a Cubs rotation desperate for power pitching. But with a projected contract exceeding $100 million and suitors like the Mets circling, can Chicago secure their former prospect to reclaim Wrigley’s glory?
Cease’s Journey: From Cubs Prospect to Elite Ace
Drafted by Chicago in the sixth round out of Milton High School (GA), Cease became a top-100 prospect before being traded to the White Sox in 2017 for José Quintana. Since then, he’s haunted his former club, posting a 2.47 ERA over 47.1 innings in eight starts against them, including a 3.2 scoreless-inning gem in the 2025 NL Wild Card Game 2 at Wrigley. Now 29, Cease’s 2025 campaign (14-10, 3.47 ERA, 215 Ks in 184 IP) with the Padres showcased his durability and strikeout prowess, ranking third among starters in K-rate behind Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.
His arsenal—a 97.1 mph fastball (sixth among qualified starters), a plus slider, and a devastating curve—makes him a perfect fit for a Cubs rotation that ranked third-lowest in fastball velocity (93.1 mph) and 20.5% in strikeout rate. “Cease brings the heat we need,” said manager Craig Counsell after the Wild Card loss. “He’s a difference-maker.”
Why Chicago Wants Him Back
The Cubs’ 2025 season ended in an NLDS loss to Milwaukee, hampered by the absence of ace Justin Steele (Tommy John surgery) and the departure of Colin Rea to free agency. Emerging stars like Cade Horton and Matthew Boyd stepped up, but Chicago craves a frontline starter to pair with Shōta Imanaga (2025: 3.15 ERA, 174 Ks). Cease, with 1,231 career strikeouts and a 2022 Cy Young runner-up finish, fits the bill.
President Jed Hoyer faces a pivotal offseason, with Kyle Tucker’s $401M projection straining the payroll and unproven prospects like Moises Ballesteros vying for outfield spots. Cease’s familiarity with Chicago—he grew up in nearby Milton, GA—could ease negotiations, but his agent, Scott Boras, is notorious for maximizing deals, projecting a 6-year, $144M contract or higher. On X, Cubs fans are buzzing: “Cease back at Wrigley? Take my money!” while others caution, “Boras + $100M+? Good luck, Hoyer.”
The Catch: Competition and Cost
Cease’s market is crowded. The Mets, seeking rotation help, and contenders like the Orioles (who eyed him in a $108M trade rumor) are in the race. The Cubs’ reluctance to sign qualifying offer (QO) players—only Dansby Swanson since 2015—complicates matters, as Cease may carry a QO, costing a draft pick. Chicago’s history of shying away from nine-figure deals (last: Yu Darvish, $126M) raises doubts, though Hoyer’s late-market pivot for Cody Bellinger in 2024 suggests flexibility.
Still, Cease’s 5.089 years of service time and 2025 salary ($13.75M) signal a massive payday looms, potentially rivaling Blake Snell’s or Gerrit Cole’s contracts. A potential return to the Cubs, where he debuted in 2019, would be poetic—especially after his 3.2 scoreless innings eliminated them in October.
Conclusion
Dylan Cease’s possible return to Wrigley Field could electrify the Cubs’ rotation, adding a high-velocity ace to a soft-tossing staff. His 2025 dominance and Chicago roots make the fit ideal, but Boras’ demands and rival suitors like the Mets loom large. As Hoyer navigates a tight budget and Tucker’s megadeal, landing Cease could signal a bold new era—or remain a tantalizing “what if.” Cubs fans, brace for a wild offseason ride.
