Padres inquired with Orioles on 5.58 ERA starter amid Dylan Cease trade rumors

At the MLB trade deadline, the San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller are expected to be very active. Sitting in a wild card spot, and within reach of the floundering Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres could make major moves at the deadline.

Buster Olney reports that the Padres are considering trading Dylan Cease, an interesting potential move for a contender.

A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year's end. Perception of other teams is that the Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs. Mets, AL…

Moving on from a starter, even one who's struggled a bit with a 4.64 ERA this season, would be an interesting move for the Padres at the deadline.

But, in a follow-up report, Olney reports that the Padres have had trade talks with the Baltimore Orioles for starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Those trade talks could indicate the Padres' plan if they move on from Cease at the deadline.

"Padres have talked to the Orioles about Charlie Morton." Olney writes, "So maybe the plan is to add a starter like Morton if  Cease is dealt for other assets."

Padres have talked to the Orioles about Charlie Morton. So maybe the plan is to add a starter like Morton if Cease is dealt for other assets.

Trading Cease would be a big change for the Padres pitching staff. While they'd lose one of their top starters, the Padres, if they went after Morton, could bring in a veteran who has been pitching better as of late.

Across Morton's first nine games, he had a 9.38 ERA this season. His struggles nearly led him to being designated for assignment, but since then, he's turned the corner.

From May 10th to July 10th, Morton, in 11 games, has been widely improved. He has a 2.61 ERA in that span with 60 strikeouts and 16 walks and a 5-0 record. His most recent outing wasn't as great, as he allowed seven earned runs in 5.1 innings of work.

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But, his turnaround from the beginning of the season has been stark, leading him to draw trade interest ahead of the deadline. At 41 years old, and signed to a one-year, $15 million deal, Morton wouldn't cost a lot to acquire.

He has a 5.58 ERA this season, and while he's turned things around, the Orioles likely won't ask for a king's ransom for the veteran starter. If the Padres trade Cease and land Morton, the return from Cease would be more than what they'd give up for Morton.

The Padres could make the exchange and add assets to land other players to bolster the roster. Whether it's more bullpen help, a catcher, or an outfielder, the Padres are looking to make some changes at the deadline.

The two reports from Olney are very interesting and indicate a potential sequence of moves from the Padres front office to reshuffle their pitching staff at the trade deadline.

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