Dylan Cease signing monster deal with Blue Jays, will make team even stronger

After losing the World Series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to make the first big signing of the offseason, inking right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. 

Cease, who turns 30 on Dec. 28, was one of the top arms on the free-agent market and will give the Blue Jays the No. 2 starter they needed to back their ace, Kevin Gausman. 

Cease had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025, going 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts and striking out 215 batters in 168.0 innings. Cease did show up in the playoffs when the San Diego Padres needed him, pitching 3.2 innings without allowing a run and striking out five Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card round. 

Dylan Cease will elevate the Blue Jays' starting rotation 

The Blue Jays are eager to return to the World Series, and adding Cease will help them in that endeavor. Toronto has the 20th-best starters ERA in baseball (4.34), and bringing in Cease gives the team a solid 1-4 for its rotation. 

1. RHP Gausman: 10-11, 3.59 ERA 
2. RHP Cease: 8-12, 4.55 ERA
3. RHP Shane Bieber: 4-2, 3.57 ERA 
4. RHP Trey Yesavage: 3-1, 3.58 ERA (postseason)