In his Tuesday afternoon interview, the Blue Jays’ two-time World Series champion Mark Scherzer indirectly hinted that he’s staying in Toronto to help the team make another push. And just a day later, the Jays and Mark Shapiro signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million deal.

So it looks like Shapiro really meant it when he said a few days ago that he’d do whatever it takes to strengthen this roster.

With Cease on board, the Jays have officially made their first major splash of the season.

Throughout his time with the San Diego Padres, Dylan Cease finished with a 4.55 ERA across 168 innings. He continued to pile up strikeouts, 215 in total but also issued 71 walks. 

When everything clicks for Cease, as it did in 2022 and again in 2024, he’s the kind of pitcher who can put together Cy Young–caliber seasons.

He didn’t win the award in either year, but he came close. He finished second in 2022 with a 2.20 ERA over 184 innings. And fourth in 2024 after putting up a 3.47 ERA across 189 1/3 innings.

The story is still developing…