Dylan Cease will wear No. 84 with the Toronto Blue Jays, making him the first player in franchise history to do so.
The star pitcher signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Jays in free agency this winter, the first major splash of the MLB offseason.
It was a major statement of intent from the defending American League champs, who narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game World Series that was an instant classic.
He’ll now headline a loaded rotation that also includes Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, José BerrÃos and postseason breakout star Trey Yesavage.
It remains to be seen if the Cease signing will keep the Blue Jays from aggressively upgrading the lineup, however. The team did host Kyle Tucker for a visit on Wednesday, an indication that the Blue Jays could be major players this offseason, while Bo Bichette remains a candidate to be re-signed.
The 29-year-old Cease didn’t have his strongest season in 2024, finishing 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 215 strikeouts in 168 innings. But he’s now posted five straight seasons with over 165 innings pitched and over 200 strikeouts, making him a workhorse who routinely misses bats. And he was a major factor in the San Diego Padres reaching the postseason the past two years.
Optimism is high in Toronto, with a rotation now built to endure the rough American League East. If the Blue Jays also add Tucker, or even retain Bichette, Toronto will very much be liking its chances to win its first title since 1993.