Cease Signs 7-Year, $210M Deal with Blue Jays -

"Ross Atkins just watched his team fall short of a World Series title by one game. If anything, they fell short by just half an inning. This deal shows that the Blue Jays are, as expected, remaining all-in on their title chase. Cease is turning 30 years old at the end of December, so a seven-year deal does seem to be longer than some had expected."

"Cease is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.55 ERA in 32 games. He logged 168 innings with a 1.33 WHIP and 215 strikeouts. Walks were a big issue for the Georgia native, as his 9.8 percent walk rate was in the 20th percentile across the sport. His best ability is striking batters out, which he does 29.8 percent of the time."

"The starting pitcher was drafted by the Cubs in 2014, spending a few years in the minor league system before getting traded to the White Sox in a deal that sent José Quintana to the North Side. The White Sox then traded him to the Padres before the 2024 season. He spent two years in San Diego before reaching free agency."

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. The deal signals the Blue Jays' commitment to pursue a championship after losing the World Series by one game. Cease turns 30 in December, and the contract length exceeded expectations despite a $30 million average annual value. Cease was drafted by the Cubs in 2014, traded to the White Sox, then to the Padres, and reached free agency after two seasons in San Diego. He posted a 4.55 ERA across 168 innings with a 1.33 WHIP, 215 strikeouts, a 9.8 percent walk rate, and a 29.8 percent strikeout rate.

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