This seems like the kind of trade all three teams would be interested in making. The Padres swap 1 year of their top pitcher for 2 years of a really good Rasmussen (if healthy) and a good, cheap LHRP. In doing so, the Padres add years of control to their roster and cut payroll by $11-12MM, as Ras will only make about $2MM next year. The Orioles trade for another top pitcher with 1 year of control, as they did last year. It may seem like they are giving up a lot to get just 1 year from Cease, but they will also get the qualifying offer draft pick compensation, which ain't nothing. In any event, the Orioles need another top pitcher more than they need another outfielder and back of rotation starter, and all the good SPs are now off the market, leaving the trade market as the Orioles only choice. Plus, Baltimore doesn't seem to have changed their spending pattern with new ownership yet, so Cease's well below market salary of $13.7MM will surely appeal to ownership/management. Lastly we have the Rays swapping a really good, cheap pitcher for two promising young players. McDermott may only be a back of rotation SP (though he could be more), but Kjerstad has the potential to lock down a COF position for the Rays for the next 3-5 years. Ras is good, but he only has 2 years of control left and he comes with injury risk. Rays elect to take the bird in the hand offer here by trading him a little earlier than expected.