The White Sox signed their top prospect Eloy Jimenez to a contract extension right before the start of the regular season and it turns out the front office was also in talks with Dylan Cease to do the same.
According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, the White Sox had some discussions with Cease’s side in spring training about a possible long-term deal. However, as of now, a deal isn’t expected to come soon.
Via MLB.com.
The White Sox had preliminary talks with right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease’s camp about an extension during Spring Training, a source confirmed to MLB.com. But nothing is expected to come from it at this time.
In his pregame media session before Friday’s home opener, general manager Rick Hahn mentioned that Cease, MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 prospect, figures to reach the Majors at some point in 2019. Hahn also talked about the team’s continued efforts to lock down its young core, without addressing any current player by name.
The 23-year-old is starting 2019 at Triple-A. Last season Cease went 12-2, with a 2.40 ERA in 23 starts. He threw 124 innings, which set a new career high for him in the minors.
Along with Jimenez’s eight-year extension, in recent years the White Sox have also signed long-term deals with Tim Anderson, Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Adam Eaton. Of course, the last three were then traded once the rebuild began in the winter of 2016.
Cease should be up with the White Sox some time after the All-Star break this year. The right-hander has a 2.67 ERA in 286 minor league innings.
