Dylan Cease Signs with the Blue Jays for a Lucrative Contract
Free agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease has reached a seven-year, $210 million agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to sources close to the team. The deal, subject to a physical examination, bolsters an already competitive team looking to establish itself at the top of the American League. Cease, who has been a consistent starter in the last five seasons, has been a key piece in the rotation of the teams where he has played. His performance has positioned him as one of the most sought-after pitchers in the free agent market.
His slider, in particular, diminished in effectiveness last season, going from being the most valuable in the game by runs above average in 2024 to opposing hitters batting .374 against it in 2025. However, Cease is coming off of recording a career-high strikeout rate of 29.8% and a fielding independent pitching score of 3.56, a slight improvement compared to his 2021-2024 average.
These data, along with his age and the deficiencies of other available starters, made him one of the most attractive pitchers in free agency. Cease rejected a qualifying offer of $22.025 million from the Padres before the November 18 deadline. Because he signed with a new team, San Diego will receive a compensatory pick in the draft after the fourth round. Selected in the sixth round by the Chicago Cubs in 2014, Cease originally went to the Chicago White Sox along with Eloy Jiménez in a 2017 trade led by José Quintana, then was acquired by the San Diego Padres in exchange for a package of prospects in March 2024. In five years as a full-time starter from 2021 to 2025, Cease led the Major Leagues in strikeouts (1,106), but also in walks (361) and wild pitches (51).
