Dylan Cease Signs a Million-Dollar Contract with the Blue Jays
Free agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease has reached a seven-year, $210 million agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to sources familiar with the negotiation. This agreement, subject to a physical examination, reinforces an already competitive team that has proven its worth. Cease, 29 years old, has been a reliable starter in the last five seasons, standing out for his consistent performance.
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. In 2023 and 2025, his record was 15-21 with an ERA of 4.57. His pitching style, with a focus on velocity and breaking balls, combined with his ability to strike out batters, makes him a valuable pitcher. Despite some challenges, Cease reaches this agreement after recording the highest strikeout rate of his career, with 29.8%, and an effectiveness score of 3.56. These numbers, along with his age and the scarcity of available openers, made him one of the most coveted pitchers in free agency. Cease rejected the Padres’ qualified offer of $22.025 million. Originally recruited by the Chicago Cubs in 2014, Cease came to the Chicago White Sox in a trade in 2017. In March 2024, he was acquired by the San Diego Padres.Cease has proven to be a pitcher with variable performance, alternating dominant seasons with less outstanding ones.
