“Similarly, the Red Sox have signaled interest in Dylan Cease, who would be a rental," McAdam wrote. "The Padres, in their never-ending quest to acquire Duran, proposed a package involving Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another prospect (not shortstop Leo de Vries) for Duran, which was quickly rejected."

The Astros were sniffing around the Dylan Cease market at the trade deadline, but there is one player they refused to give the Padres.

USA Today’s Bob Nigthengale said San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is the second-best pitcher on the market behind Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara and revealed the likelihood that the Padres actually trade Cease.