The Toronto Blue Jays made a massive splash on Tuesday, signing free agent pitcher Dylan Cease to the richest contract in team history given to a pitcher, Sportsnet reported.
Cease, 29, is coming off somewhat of a down year for the San Diego Padres. His 8-12 mark and 4-55 ERA over 168 may not look overly impressive. But his 215 Ks and 1.33 WHIP tell another story.
That’s why the Blue Jays backed up the Brinks truck to get him. Adding Cease now lands the Jays another front-of-the-rotation starter. Toronto can now deploy Cease, along with Kevin Gausman, as a type of two-headed monster.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Blue Jays’ rotation figures to be Gausman, Cease, Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios, and Trey Yesavage. Assuming Bieber can have a healthy season in 2026, Toronto could have as many as four high-end pitchers.
That situation signals the Jays are loading up for another World Series run in 2026. Of course, they’ll likely run into the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are looming as a dynasty at the moment. But if there’s any team that could stand in their way, it’s the Blue Jays.
The Jays, Yesavage’s heroics notwithstanding, pushed the Dodgers to extra innings of Game 7. That’s why a pitcher like Cease could be the missing piece that could catapult Toronto to its first championship in over three decades.
Blue Jays May Not Be Done Adding Arms
Tuesday’s Dylan Cease signing is likely the biggest move the Blue Jays will make, pitching-wise. But it’s not likely the last one. There could still be room to add another arm in the rotation.
Last season, the club took a flyer on Max Scherzer. The veteran pitcher started slowly while dealing with injuries. He showed flashes of his former Cy Young self at times during the season, but was largely an afterthought in the postseason.
Similarly, Chris Bassitt became a bullpen arm down the stretch and into the playoffs. While he was certainly serviceable in that role, it’s unlikely either one returns next season. That situation could signal that the Blue Jays may be looking for another arm in the rotation.
It makes sense as there’s no telling if Bieber is ready for a full season, pitching more than 150 innings. The same goes for Yesavage. He’s only 22 and might still have his inning under control.
That’s why another arm as potential insurance could make sense for the Blue Jays heading into next season.
Bichette Remains Toronto’s Biggest Priority
The Dylan Cease signing was a major move by the Blue Jays. It signals the team is deep in its win-now window. It also shows the team is not afraid to make a splash. After all, the $500 million to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not just for show. Management has to surround its biggest star with the right supporting cast.
But beyond all of that, Bo Bichette remains the team’s biggest priority. The Blue Jays will likely want to keep Bichette in the fold for the foreseeable future. His bounce-back year in 2025 showed he still has room to be a game-changing player.
While a deal may not be imminent, Toronto will continue to work behind the scenes to ensure its pitching staff gets the offensive support it needs to keep the club’s competitive window open for years to come.
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