The New York Yankees were expected to go after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency, or perhaps even at the trade deadline. However, he has reportedly agreed to a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, shattering the Yankees’ hopes of landing him.

However, without the prospect of Guerrero impacting their decisions, they could pivot to add some talent at this year’s trade deadline. Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker suggested they could target Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres.

“By keeping Cease in particular through Opening Day, San Diego showed it’s aiming for the postseason, and an 8-2 start justifies that belief,” wrote Zucker. “Should the Padres’ fortunes take a turn, the Yankees could seemingly try to re-open negotiations over Cease or pursue a reunion with King.”

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 25: Dylan Cease #84 of the San Diego Padres pitches to the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. ess Rapfogel/Getty Images

Guerrero could have been a great fit for the Yankees, who have long been searching for an elite first baseman. However, a trade for Cease, followed by re-signing him, would give the Yankees’ rotation a jolt.

Cease is going to be a free agent after the season and is a prime candidate to be traded if the Padres’ season starts to slip away from them. Spotrac projects Cease to earn a five-year, $108 million deal as a free agent. That is significantly less than the Yankees would have been prepared to pay Guerrero, and he would come cheaper than a trade for Guerrero would have cost as well.

If the Yankees were to acquire Cease in a trade, they would have a trio of Cease, Max Fried, and Luis Gil when healthy. If they were to keep him around after that, they would be adding Gerrit Cole to the mix as well.

Cease has a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings of work this year. He has made 30-plus starts in four consecutive seasons, has a 3.40 ERA over the last three years, and has finished top five in Cy Young Award voting twice in his career.