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.

“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."