After rival executives crushed the Toronto Blue Jays for spending $210 million on right-hander Dylan Cease, front office members around the league are changing their tune.
An anonymous poll of more than a dozen executives conducted by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com revealed the Cease deal as the best signing of the winter. The right-hander has cruised to a 3.05 ERA across seven appearances to begin his Toronto tenure. He’s piled up 56 strikeouts in just 38.1 innings.
The poll is a complete about-face from the conversation heading into the year. A survey of 30+ MLB insiders by The Athletic comfortably landed on Cease’s $210 million pact as the worst of the offseason.
Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays, Vindicated By Latest MLB Poll
Cease and Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami both received six votes in the MLB.com poll. Murakami is off to a tremendous start, matching Aaron Judge for the league lead at 13 home runs. No other player received more than one vote in the poll. Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz and Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin were the only other pitchers to earn tallies besides Cease.
“The Jays have been beat up in the rotation, but Cease and [Kevin] Gausman are holding it down for them,” said an American League executive, relayed by Feinsand. “He will be a big part of that club for many years,” said a National League executive.
Cease endeared himself to the Toronto fanbase in his first start. The 30-year-old struck out 12 against the Athletics. The bullpen fumbled away the lead, but Ernie Clement delivered a walk-off single in extra innings. Despite allowing just four earned runs over his first four starts, Cease remained winless deep into April. He finally earned his first Blue Jays victory against the Angels on Monday, April 20. Cease punched out a dozen for the second time. Lenyn Sosa delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and the bullpen preserved the 5-2 win.
Can Cease Maintain This Level of Production?
Cease debuted with the White Sox in 2019. After two uneven seasons as a big leaguer, he put together a solid 2021 campaign. The righty posted a 31.9% strikeout rate en route to a career-high 13 victories. Cease took another step forward in 2022, notching a career-best 2.20 ERA while punching out opponents at a more than 30% clip. Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander took home American League Cy Young honors that year, but Cease finished second in the voting.
The 2026 campaign has seen Cease push his strikeout rate to a career-best 33.7%. He’s generating whiffs at similar levels, but has boosted his called-striker rate. Cease currently has a CSW% above 30% for just the second time as a big leaguer.
An expanded arsenal has helped Cease pile up the strikeouts. He’s dabbled with adding pitches to his four-seam/slider combo in the past. This season, he’s leading into the broader repertoire. Cease is throwing his changeup 11.2% of the time, his highest mark since the shortened 2020 season. He’s using his sinker at a career-high 8.2% clip. Cease is still mixing in the sweeper and knuckle curveball, giving him six pitches he’s throwing at least 6% of the time.
Blue Jays $210 Million Deal Voted Best Signing of Offseason