Dylan Cease remains a part of the Padres starting rotation. Moreover, the team acquired left-hander Nestor Cortes from the Brewers just before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.

“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."

According to The Athletic, the Padres are only interested in trading him if they can improve their current major-league roster. But the Astros might have an excess of starters after Spencer Arighetti, J.P. France and Cristian Javier return from injuries as expected in August or September.