Toronto adds Dylan Cease, bolstering pitching rotation after World Series loss: reports

After coming up short in a Game 7 World Series thriller, the Toronto Blue Jays wasted little time making a splash in free agency.

According to multiple reports, free agent pitcher Dylan Cease has agreed to a seven-year, $210 million contract. Cease has been a reliable arm, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five MLB seasons.

The right-hander posted a 4.55 ERA with the San Diego Padres. He had 215 strikeouts and walked 71 batters in 168 innings.

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Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 25, 2024, in Washington, DC (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

Cease spent his first five years with the Chicago White Sox, including a 2022 season in which he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA despite leading the majors in walks. He finished second in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

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After one more year in Chicago, he was traded to San Diego in March 2024 and went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA that season, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease celebrates after the third out during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 24, 2025 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Cease was one of the top free agent pitchers on the market this offseason and joins a Blue Jays team that won the America East division this year.

San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease finishes to pitch against the Washington Nationals on July 25, 2024, in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

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Toronto’s rotation already has Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos. Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, 41, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who started Game 7 of the World Series, became free agents this month.

The News contributed to this report.

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