The San Diego Padres asking price for Dylan Cease was revealed by an MLB insider after nearly trading him to the Houston Astros.

Cease could just be a half-year rental because of all the starting pitchers on Houston's injured list. The Astros have a full rotation sidelined. Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier and J.P. France are all on the injured list.

And at the end of all of it, Cease remains in the Padres’ rotation. It was reason to smile Friday as he walked back into the clubhouse he’ll continue to call home as the Padres push for a postseason spot.