![\"Dylan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2269709204-e1776789717465.jpg\")
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Dylan Cease has been spectacular thus far for the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n
The Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> signed Dylan Cease to a mega contract this past offseason, and so far, the results have been spectacular.<\/p>\n Last November, the Blue Jays handed Cease a seven-year, $210 million contract that included deferred money, dropping the net present value of the contract to $184.63 million. The deal was seen as an overpay by some, as Cease struggled last year in his platform free agent season with the San Diego Padres<\/a>. But so far in 2026, the decision to hand Cease a mega contract has proven to be a wise decision<\/a> for Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins and team president and CEO Mark Shapiro.<\/p>\n Through his first five starts of the season, Cease has pitched 25.2 innings with a 2.10 ERA and an MLB-leading 44 strikeouts<\/a>. He has the highest K\/9 rate in the majors right now at 15.4 strikeouts per 9 innings, and he has yet to allow a home run this year. In fact, Cease has not allowed a single barrel this season, which is an incredible statistic.<\/p>\n While he is only five starts into his Blue Jays career, the decision to hand the ultra-durable Cease a seven-year contract is looking like a wise one for the Blue Jays. In addition to being one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game, having previously led the majors in K\/9 twice in his career, Cease is also someone the team can rely on, as he\u2019s made at least 32 starts for the last five seasons. He has finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice in his career, and he is on pace to do so once again this season if he can keep up his strong performance the rest of the season.<\/p>\n The Blue Jays Took a Calculated Risk With Dylan Cease\u2019s Mega Contract<\/p>\n The Blue Jays signed Cease early in the offseason last year, giving him seven years and $210 million, which some believe was an overpay after he struggled with the Padres last year, posting a 4.55 ERA while playing in a pitcher\u2019s park. But the Blue Jays believed that he had the talent to bounce back and be the pitcher he was in the past, and thus far, it looks like Atkins and Shapiro were right to give Cease the bag. He has been on fire so far this season, with some of the best advanced statistics of any starting pitcher in baseball. If anything, his contract is looking like a relative bargain when you factor in the deferred money and lowered luxury tax hit because of it.<\/p>\n Good morning. Here are Dylan Cease’s updated SP ranks with a minimum threshold of 25 innings pitched:<\/p>\n ERA: 2.10 (13th)FIP: 1.46 (2nd)SIERA: 2.67 (7th)K%: 39.6% (1st)K-BB%: 27.0% (T-1st)FF Stuff+: 119 (4th)FB% against: 21.6% (4th)Barrels allowed: 0 (T-1st)<\/p>\n E L I T E. https:\/\/t.co\/zO5ND8RpSk<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Damon (@Damon98_) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Blue Jays Have Dual Aces With Dylan Cease and Kevin Gausman<\/p>\n The Blue Jays have two of the best starting pitchers in baseball with Cease and veteran Kevin Gausman at the top of their rotation. Cease is having an amazing year so far, but so is Gausman, who is defying Father Time at age 35 to pitch as an ace for the Blue Jays so far. The Blue Jays also have several other talented pitchers, including Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber, on their injured list, so when these pitchers rejoin the Blue Jays\u2019 rotation, they give the team a strong rotation with Cease and Gausman both pitching like aces so far.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAdam Martin<\/a> Adam Martin is a sports journalist with over 15 years of experience. He has a speciality in MMA, while also covering the Big 4 Sports. Adam is currently a contributor to Heavy.com, with previous experience working for The Toronto Star, Sportsnet, theScore, Bookies, BJPenn.com, and MMAOddsbreaker.com. More about Adam Martin<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Blue Jays\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t