Grifol: 'I don't know' if Cease will be White Sox starter for Opening Day
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol is unsure about Dylan Cease's future with trade rumors swirling again.
"I don't know," Grifol said Tuesday when asked if he believes Cease will be his club's Opening Day starter on March 28, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "I mean, how am I supposed to know that? I don't know what's going to happen out there. I don't know where other teams are, what their urgency is."
The skipper added: "I have no idea. I leave that to our major-league scouts, our general manager, (and) the front office."
Meanwhile, Cease acknowledged the White Sox's front office informed him that his name is being mentioned again in rumors.
"(General manager) Chris (Getz) called me in the morning and kinda gave me a heads-up," Cease said, according to Chuck Garfien of NBC Sports Chicago. "Just said there was rumors going around."
The New York Yankees made a new trade proposal for the 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up but didn't include top outfield prospect Spencer Jones, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
New York is awaiting MRI results on the elbow of reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.
The World Series champion Rangers are also discussing what it'd take to land Cease, a source told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, who adds many White Sox scouts have attended Texas' camp this week.
Texas is missing injured starters Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery is also still a free agent.
The San Diego Padres are also involved in the Cease sweepstakes, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Wednesday. Chicago's front office has been scouting the Padres, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The White Sox are reportedly in talks with free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who could be a replacement for Cease in the rotation.
Cease, 28, will make $8 million this season and is arbitration-eligible through 2025.