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After falling short in a Game 7 World Series thriller, the Toronto Blue Jays wasted little time in free agency.
According to multiple reports, free agent pitcher Dylan Cease agreed to a $210 million, seven-year contract. Cease has been a reliable arm, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five MLB seasons.
The right-hander posted a 4.55 ERA with the San Diego Padres. He recorded 215 strikeouts and walked 71 batters in 168 innings.
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Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Cease spent his first five years with the Chicago White Sox, including a 2022 season in which he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA despite leading the majors in walks. He finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting.
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After another year in Chicago, he was traded to San Diego in March 2024 and went 14–11 with a 3.47 ERA that season, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease celebrates after the third out during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sept. 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Cease was one of the best free-agent pitchers on the market this offseason, and he joins a Blue Jays team that won the American East division this year.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease retires from pitching against the Washington Nationals on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Toronto’s rotation already has Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos. Chris Bassitt and 41-year-old Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who started Game 7 of the World Series, became free agents this month.
