Blue Jays Sign $210M Ace Cease, Poised for Cy Young Run

ESPN's Jeff Passan predicts Dylan Cease could finish second in AL Cy Young voting in his first season with Toronto.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:36pm

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The Toronto Blue Jays made a major offseason move by signing right-handed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. Cease, a seven-year MLB veteran, finished second in Cy Young Award voting with the Chicago White Sox in 2024 and earned a fourth-place vote in 2025 with the San Diego Padres. ESPN's Jeff Passan believes Cease, known for his 'strikeout artistry', could finish second in AL Cy Young voting in his first season with the Blue Jays, who are adept at developing pitching talent.

Why it matters

The Blue Jays are hoping Cease's arrival can help them return to the World Series, and Passan's bold prediction suggests the team's coaching staff could help Cease take his game to an even higher level. However, Cease will have to contend with Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner, for the top pitching honor in the American League.

The details

Cease, 30, has a career 3.88 ERA in the majors, but has often struggled with command despite his reputation as a top-tier strikeout pitcher. The Blue Jays are banking on their pitching development expertise to help Cease refine his skills and reach new heights. Passan believes Cease's 'stuff' and 'strikeout artistry' have the potential to 'morph into something more' with the right coaching.

  • Cease finished second in Cy Young Award voting with the Chicago White Sox in 2024.
  • Cease earned a fourth-place Cy Young vote in 2025 with the San Diego Padres.

The players

Dylan Cease

A 30-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason.

Tarik Skubal

The Detroit Tigers' ace pitcher, who is the back-to-back recipient of the American League Cy Young Award.

Jeff Passan

An ESPN baseball analyst who made a bold prediction that Cease could finish second in AL Cy Young voting in his first season with the Blue Jays.

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What they’re saying

“It wouldn't surprise me if ... Dylan Cease finishes second in AL Cy Young voting. Fresh off a seven-year, $210 million free agent windfall, Cease joins a Blue Jays pitching machine that delights in taking raw stuff and molding it into something more.”

— Jeff Passan, ESPN baseball analyst

What’s next

The Blue Jays and their fans will be closely watching Cease's performance in the 2026 season to see if he can live up to Passan's bold prediction and challenge Tarik Skubal for the AL Cy Young Award.

The takeaway

The Blue Jays' signing of Dylan Cease to a $210 million contract reflects their belief that their pitching development expertise can help the talented right-hander reach new heights and potentially challenge for the AL Cy Young Award, though he'll have to contend with the Tigers' Tarik Skubal, the back-to-back winner.