“Assuming Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker are gone”; “Holy overpay” - Fans react as Blue Jays finalize 7-year $210M deal with Dylan Cease

Following the World Series heartbreak last month, the Toronto Blue Jays have made the biggest move of the offseason by signing free agent ace Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal, as per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The right-handed pitcher is expected to fill a massive hole left by the departures of Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer at the end of last season.

MLB fans reacted to the Blue Jays making the statement signing following their World Series loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.

"I’m assuming that means Bo and Tucker are gone."

Captain Boost

@eurosooner77

I’m assuming that means Bo and Tucker are gone.

"Holy overpay, Batman!"

Tony Hughes

@TC_Hughes

Holy overpay, Batman!

"And baseball’s “bad contracts” welcome Dylan Cease to the neighborhood."

OldTimeHardball

@OleTimeHardball

And baseball’s “bad contracts” welcome Dylan Cease to the neighborhood

"Well, bless their hearts up in Toronto. $210 million for Mr. Cease? Honey, my late husband always said you don’t pay Cadillac prices for a Ford that’s been in the shop half the season. Good luck, y’all."

Elena 🇺🇸

@LanieASassyVet

Well, bless their hearts up in Toronto. $210 million for Mr. Cease? Honey, my late husband always said you don’t pay Cadillac prices for a Ford that’s been in the shop half the season. Good luck, y’all.

"Anyone saying overpay are casuals. His market projection was 32m/YR. That's the market these days so not really an overpay. I am not saying I like Cease but that's his market."

Brett

@Seemee8116

Anyone saying overpay are casuals. His market projection was 32m/YR. That's the market these days so not really an overpay. I am not saying I like Cease but that's his market

Cease has been one of the top arms in the league since his breakthrough year with the Chicago White Sox in 2022, when he finished second in AL Cy Young voting.

However, Cease struggled with the San Diego Padres last season, posting a 4.55 ERA in 168 innings.

Dylan Cease's signature could open doors for other free agent pitchers

Although the Blue Jays signed arguably the top arm available in free agency, several other starting pitchers could get a big payday this offseason. Former Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez is one of the top remaining arms in free agency, along with former Philadelphia Phillies starter Ranger Suarez.

Both Valdez and Suarez are MLB tested and have plenty of solid years remaining in them, which could fetch a long-term deal. One of the other coveted arms this offseason is international free agent Tatsuya Imai. Following the success of Japanese pitchers in the past and Yoshinobu Yamamoto most recently, teams will be tempted to sign the 27-year-old former NPB pitcher.