Jays Sign Dylan Cease
Out of absolutely nowhere, the Jays dove headfirst into the free-agent deep end and hauled out flamethrower Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal, pending a physical. And look, I know the fanbase is split right now. I get the hesitation — you see a 4.55 ERA last season, and you pause. But let’s be real: that number came while he was pitching in front of San Diego’s defence, which was never strong to begin with. He will now throw with one of, if not the best, defences behind him in Toronto.
Cease’s fastball averages 97 mph and at times has reached triple digits. Ninety. Seven. That’s something the Jays’ rotation desperately lacked last year — a pure power arm who can blow hitters up when the moment demands it. Add in 215 strikeouts in 168 innings, and the fact that he’s topped 200 Ks in five straight seasons, and yeah… this is a monster addition. And the cherry on top? The guy has never missed a start. For a team with World Series dreams, durability isn’t just a luxury — it’s oxygen.
So what does this mean for the rest of the winter?
Simple: buckle up. More moves are coming.
Before he deleted it, Sid Seixeiro jumped on Twitter to suggest this deal takes the Jays out of the running to bring back Bo Bichette. Jays fans freaked out for a hot second — but relax. As with many of Sid’s Toronto sports takes, he’s leaving out one crucial detail: most of Cease’s money is deferred. Yes, the Jays dipped into the Dodgers’ playbook. No, it does not mean the spending stops. If anything, it signals the opposite.
And for those sweating about Bo, remember what we’ve already heard from Jays reporter Keegan Matheson: when Bo says he wants to stay in Toronto, he means it. Bob Nightengale even went on Blue Jays Today recently and said he believes Bo sticks around — maybe not on a 10-year megadeal, but a solid four or five years. Honestly, after the few months Jays management has had, how could he not at least be tempted?
They locked up Vlad for life.
They traded for Shane Bieber, who then opted in for pennies.
Now they’ve added Cease, who instantly becomes one of the most dangerous arms in the American League.
If I’m Bo Bichette, I’m texting my agent: “Let’s figure this out.”
And the Jays aren’t done. Not even close. Toronto is still linked to Kyle Tucker (imagine that swing in this lineup), and they’ve reportedly chatted with Mets closer Edwin Díaz, who wants about $102 million over five years. That’s $20.4 million per season. If that’s what it takes to land the best closer in baseball? Pay the man. Put a bow on it.
The Jays came into this offseason talking like contenders.
Now they’re acting like contenders.
And honestly?
It feels like the fun is just getting started
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