Dylan Cease Signs with the Blue Jays for $210 Million
Free agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease has reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays for seven years and $210 million, according to sources close to the team. The agreement, subject to a physical examination, further strengthens an already competitive team.
Cease, who has been a consistent starter in the last five seasons, has been a valuable asset on the mound. His addition to the Blue Jays is a strategic move to strengthen their pitching rotation.In five seasons as a starter from 2021 to 2025, Dylan Cease led Major League Baseball in strikeouts (1,106), but also in walks (361) and wild pitches (51).
The right-handed pitcher, known for his powerful pitching repertoire, has demonstrated both dominance and inconsistency throughout his career. His outstanding performances have positioned him as an elite pitcher in the league.
In 2022 and 2024, Cease finished second and fourth in the Cy Young voting, respectively, with a record of 28-19 and an ERA of 2.84. However, in 2023 and 2025, his record was 15-21 with an ERA of 4.57.
Cease’s approach is based on the speed of his fastball and his breaking pitches, combining a high strikeout rate with a considerable number of walks. His slider, although valuable in the past, has shown variations in its effectiveness.
Despite this, Cease is coming off a season in which he achieved his highest strikeout percentage (29.8%) and a FIP of 3.56, making him a very attractive pitcher in free agency.
Cease rejected the $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Padres, giving San Diego a compensatory pick in the draft.
Originally recruited by the Chicago Cubs in 2014, Cease arrived at the Chicago White Sox in a trade involving José Quintana in 2017 and was subsequently acquired by the San Diego Padres in March 2024.
In his five years as a full-time starter from 2021 to 2025, Cease led in strikeouts (1,106), but also in walks (361) and wild pitches (51).
