The San Diego Padres were rumored to potentially deal Dylan Cease or Robert Suarez at the MLB trade deadline, but a move never materialized.

“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."

Having a strikeout pitcher in the playoffs sets your team up for success, and if Cease can continue his hot streak (two or less earned runs and nine or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts), the Padres will be even more built for a playoff run.