Padres' Dylan Cease is Astros' primary trade deadline target

The San Diego Padres are listening to trade inquiries for some of their veteran players on expiring deals. Of those vets, starting pitcher Dylan Cease is the one drawing the most interest from teams around baseball.

According to a new report from Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Padres have the Houston Astros as a team that has made Cease their primary trade deadline target.

"Houston Astros owner Jim Crane fancies star power." Rosenthal and Rome write. "San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease is one of the biggest stars available on the trade market. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that Cease is at the top of the Astros' wish list as the trade deadline nears, according to sources briefed on the team's discussions."

For the Padres, this is great news. If the Astros are interested in bringing in Cease and are willing to pay the expensive cost to land him, then they would be able to free up some money, set themselves up for the future, and also look for a new starting pitcher upgrade.

MORE: Padres named among most desperate teams at MLB trade deadline

A.J. Preller and the Padres won't move Cease unless there's a way to help the team contend this season. That's a tough task to do, but there's a way for the team to execute such a deal, which could make it work.

The Padres have two top needs, and either could work with the Astros. San Diego needs a left fielder, and Jacob Melton, the Astros' second-ranked prospect, could be involved in a trade.

But, one of the more interesting potential deals that the Padres could swing would be acquiring one of the Astros' MLB catchers for Cease. Though the Astros aren't likely to move on from either Victor Caratini or Yanier Diaz, it's worth a try for the Padres.

Regardless of who the Padres and Astros discuss as the return, the Astros' interest in Cease is very noteworthy. They aren't just interested in or linked to him, but they view Cease as their primary trade target with a little over 48 hours until the trade deadline.

It's a clear stance from the Astros on Cease, and for the Padres, it's something worth monitoring as the deadline nears. While a trade isn't known to be close, this report opens the door to a potential Padres-Astros deal, which would send Cease to Houston.

MORE MLB NEWS:

• Guardians announce Emmanuel Clase's replacement amid closer placed on leave
• Tigers trade for Twins' 4.95 ERA starter for minor leaguer
• Guardians' Shane Bieber drawing interest ahead of trade deadline
• Astros DFA fan favorite slugger, according to wife's announcement
• Guardians' Steven Kwan 'desired' by Phillies at trade deadline
• Cardinals get horrible news on top-ten pitching prospect