This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dylan Cease struck out eight in 3 1/3 innings Tuesday night in Goodyear, Ariz., during his final start for the White Sox, introducing us to his 64 mph “slowboy” offering in the process.

But the right-hander didn’t know that it would be his final start until a little less than 24 hours later -- when he was traded to the Padres. He had dinner with pitching coach Ethan Katz on Wednesday night, made a quick stop at the White Sox clubhouse Thursday morning and joined his new team in nearby Peoria later in the day.

It has been just as busy of a two-day period for the White Sox. So, let’s look at some questions and ideas coming from the trade.

Did the White Sox make a good deal?
Both teams got what they needed, which really is the goal of every general manager. Cease provides the Padres a top-of-the-rotation hurler who has looked locked in during Spring Training, regularly hitting 97, 98 mph with his fastball.

The White Sox picked up Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte and Steve Wilson, three right-handers who should help them in 2024, with Wilson breaking camp as part of the bullpen. They also added a 19-year-old outfielder, Samuel Zavala, who slashed .267/.420/.451 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 71 RBIs, 83 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 101 games last season for Single-A Lake Elsinore.

General manager Chris Getz added help for the present, while strengthening his base for the future, which was his goal in the Cease deal.

Why now?
I heard rumblings one week ago how Getz was willing to hold onto Cease until the Trade Deadline, knowing he might be able to get more at that point with teams in contention. The market picked up Monday, and as Getz said in a Thursday morning Zoom, they didn’t think any in-season return would top what San Diego offered.

How does this affect the rotation?
Let’s not just talk about the rotation. Let’s talk about the whole team. Regardless of the return, it’s difficult to fill a Cease-like void, just in terms of his dominant mound skills and his easy-going clubhouse leadership.

Yes, but what happens with the rotation?
Katz mentioned as many as 10 names in the mix for the five starting spots.

“There’s a lot of guys throwing bulk innings right now,” Katz said. “So, obviously with the Dylan news that will open it a little more.

“We gotta have a lot of discussions and we still have a lot of time even though it is winding down. We’ll figure it out.”

Who is the Opening Day starter?
Manager Pedro Grifol said he knew I would ask that question Thursday morning, but he didn’t provide an answer. Erick Fedde is in line right now, but here’s an interesting candidate -- Garrett Crochet.

The southpaw has pitched nine scoreless innings during Spring Training in his move from the bullpen to the rotation, with 12 strikeouts and no walks, with his fastball topping out at 99 mph. He is scheduled to pitch Wednesday if the White Sox stay every five days, factoring in Tuesday’s team off-day, but why not push him to Friday and let him take the ball with an extra day’s rest against the Tigers on Opening Day?

So, Crochet is a part of the rotation?
That’s a different question, one Crochet wouldn’t commit to after throwing three scoreless innings on Thursday.

“I’m in a good place building up and we’ll kind of see when camp ends. The competition is still very much ongoing,” Crochet said. “I’m kind of trying to keep passing the test they are throwing my way and make it a tough decision for them in the end.”

“He's on his way to do whatever is needed,” Katz said. “He's in a good place and we don't need to add or do anything different to what we've been doing.”

Crochet has just 73 total innings in the Majors over three seasons as a reliever. So, the White Sox will need to be watchful with his usage and how he recovers from each start.

Is Nick Nastrini in play?
He is, with nine strikeouts, two walks and two hits allowed over seven innings. If this competition idea is a real thing and not just a Spring Training mantra, then rookies Nastrini and Jordan Leasure, who arrived from the Dodgers at the 2023 Trade Deadline, should be in play for a roster spot.

Are all the starting candidates in camp?
The White Sox have been linked to interest in free agents Mike Clevinger and Michael Lorenzen, via various reports, as well as having Brad Keller building up in house. Clevinger was one of the White Sox steadiest starters in 2023.

Can this team compete in 2024?
While I don’t put much stock in Cactus League numbers, the team does seem to have a certain vibe and style developing, which could make things interesting even without Cease. Of course, good play topples good vibes.