Right-hander Dylan Cease has agreed to a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, bolstering the defending American League champions’ rotation with one of free agency’s top available starters.

The deal, pending a physical, marks a significant offseason splash for Toronto as it aims to defend its AL pennant and push for a World Series title.

Cease, 29, heads north after a 2025 season with the San Diego Padres where he posted a 4.55 ERA over 32 starts, striking out 224 batters in 182 innings. Acquired by the Padres in a March 2024 trade from the Chicago White Sox, Cease has established himself as a durable arm with swing-and-miss stuff, averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career. His standout 2022 campaign with the White Sox, a 2.20 ERA and second-place finish in AL Cy Young voting, highlights his ace potential, though recent command issues have tempered expectations.

The Blue Jays, fresh off an AL Championship, view Cease as a key addition to a pitching staff led by Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios. Toronto’s rotation ranked in the top 10 for strikeouts last season but struggled with consistency in the playoffs. The $30 million average annual value of Cease’s contract reflects the escalating market for starting pitchers, positioning him alongside deals like Max Fried’s recent extension with the Atlanta Braves.

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Earlier in the offseason, the Chicago Cubs were among the teams linked to Cease, with reports indicating strong interest from the North Siders as they sought to upgrade their starting pitching. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had prioritized rotation depth, and Cease’s familiarity with the NL Central, from his White Sox days, made him an intriguing fit.

Speculation peaked in late October when insiders pegged Chicago as a top suitor, potentially willing to surrender draft picks after Cease rejected a qualifying offer from San Diego. However, the Cubs’ pursuits appear to have shifted, with no deal materializing before Cease’s agreement with Toronto.

Trade rumors involving Cease dated back to the 2024-25 winter, when teams like the Cubs, New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles inquired about the righty. The Cubs’ interest was part of a broader strategy to pair a veteran arm with young talents like Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele, but Toronto’s aggressive bid won out.

For the Blue Jays, the signing addresses a critical need while keeping payroll flexibility for potential pursuits of hitters like Juan Soto or extensions for core players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Cease’s addition could reshape the AL East landscape, where Toronto faces stiff competition from the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Cease’s career stats include a 3.83 ERA across 191 appearances, with 1,161 strikeouts in 965 1/3 innings. His velocity and slider remain elite, offering upside for a rebound in 2026.

The deal was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. As free agency heats up, attention turns to remaining starters like Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell, with the Cubs still in the market for pitching reinforcements.