What's stopping the Yankees for trading for Padres' Dylan Cease right now?

About a week ago, insider Jon Morosi refuted any smoke regarding the New York Yankees pursuing a trade to land San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease. About a week later, reports surfaced suggesting the Pads were scouting the Yankees' farm system (among other teams).

So, what can we believe? Nothing's definitive, but Brian Cashman did say last week that the Yankees aren't in a good position to swing an impact move that would go to great lengths to replace Gerrit Cole after his Tommy John surgery. Though everybody already knew that for the most part, some certainly disagreed with the sentiment about being cautious about "overpaying" for a starting pitcher.

Understandably, the Yankees will be paying a premium should they confront any team about a top-of-the-rotation starter. Any rival GM would look to rake the Yankees over the coals given their current situation.

Then again, how much would that change by the trade deadline, when more teams are lining up for the same asset? When teams unexpectedly leap into contention and are willing to dangle more from, let's say, a superior farm system? Or, what if guys come off the market? What if the Padres decide by July that they like their chances and don't want to deal someone like Cease?

If the Yankees "overpay" now, they will get a full season of whatever arm they're chasing. That's better than 2.5 months and will cost you roughly the same. Additionally, there's simply no time the Yankees will be "underpaying" for a pitcher they hope could replace some of what Cole brought to the table.

Yankees Rumors: Dylan Cease trade update and likelihood after Gerrit Cole injury

A realistic dissenting argument here is that the Yankees could be in a better position come July if their farm system shows improvement and if some of the young options on the big league roster become everyday options/valuable bench pieces. That would give them more ammo for a trade.

In theory, the blow might be a little less because there will be more talent present to make up for the loss, but talent will be departing nonetheless. And let's face it; with the way the Yankees' prospects and young talent pan out, they hardly have a good batting average when it comes to success rate. If history suggests anything, they will not have considerably more to work with/choose from when July rolls around.

It's not clear if Cease is available. It's also not clear what the Padres are asking for if he is. But if the Yankees are serious about salvaging 2025 without their ace and possibly without Giancarlo Stanton, then a blockbuster move isn't only necessary, it's imperative. Anything short of "mortgaging the entire future" should be on the table should the right talent be available, and there's almost no difference between doing it right now vs doing it after the All-Star break.

And if it's Cease, we just gotta make sure his new-look beard falls under the "well-groomed" column.