There's no chance the Cubs pull off a Dylan Cease trade this winter

Cubs fans love the idea of a reunion - and, in this case, who can blame them? The idea of somehow rectifying the Jose Quintana trade that sent top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox in 2017 certainly has a certain level of appeal.

That's especially true when you consider the pitcher Cease has evolved into - and the Cubs' need for additional firepower alongside Justin Steele in the starting rotation. Chicago has done a great job assembling rotation depth, but adding to the top end of that mix would go a long way toward helping the team return to the postseason in 2024, especially after Marcus Stroman opted out of his deal.

Cubs have next to no chance to pull off a Dylan Cease trade

Now, with Cease's name swirling in trade rumors as the new regime on the South Side look to tear things down to the studs, it seems prudent to address the (non) possibility of a deal that could bring the 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up back to Wrigley Field in the home pinstripes next year.

It seems wildly unlikely the two teams would get together on a deal of this magnitude. Jed Hoyer isn't going to look send some of the top talent of his replenished farm system to the White Sox only to run back the criticisms Hoyer and his former boss, Theo Epstein, drew from fans over the Quintana deal six-plus years ago.

With the Dodgers eyeing Cease of late, Los Angeles could end this speculation sooner rather than later - or new Sox GM Chris Getz could slow play things, letting the free agent options sign and then circling back with the teams that came out of free agency without addressing their starting pitching needs.

That's not to say the Cubs won't address their rotation via trade - I still think a Tyler Glasnow deal makes a ton of sense there. But just because they're familiar with Cease and we'd all like to wipe the slate clean on that trade from a half-decade ago, doesn't mean that's the route Hoyer will take this winter.