Report: Toronto Blue Jays sign starting pitcher Dylan Cease to seven-year, $210 million deal

The Toronto Blue Jays made a major splash in free agency on Wednesday night, agreeing on a seven-year contract worth $210 million for starting pitcher Dylan Cease, according to multiple reports.

Here’s what you need to know.

Dylan Cease

The deal for Cease is reportedly pending a physical and will include deferrals. It’s the second-largest contract in franchise history, following the $500 million extension Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed early in the 2025 season.

Cease went 8-12 with the San Diego Padres last season, posting a 4.55 ERA while striking out 215 batters over 168.0 innings pitched. It was a down-year in terms of ERA for the 29-year-old, but he also posted the sixth-most strikeouts in the majors.

Cease finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting in 2024 after recording a 3.47 ERA with 224 strikeouts in 189.1 innings pitched. Since 2020, Cease leads all MLB pitchers in starts (174) and strikeouts (1,150).

Toronto Blue Jays

Cease joins a Blue Jays starting rotation featuring Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer.

The Jays still have other work left on the table. In addition to improving the bullpen, a decision needs to be made on free agent shortstop Bo Bichette and the team is also believed to be interested in top free agent hitter Kyle Tucker.

Toronto appears to be going all-in after losing a heartbreaker in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the World Series. The Blue Jays are +1300 to win the World Series in 2026, trailing only the Phillies (+1100), Yankees (+750) and Dodgers (+340).