Ernie Clement offers thoughts on Dylan Cease after Blue Jays make $210M splash

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent Dylan Cease on Tuesday for a seven-year, $210 million contract. Cease played the last two seasons for the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old righty was fourth in the 2024 NL Cy Young voting.

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, via the Players Association, the deferrals in Cease's contract reduce its present-day value to $184.6 million, which is $26.4 million per season. Rosenthal also pointed out that the deal includes a $23 million signing bonus.

Shortly after reports emerged of the Cease's decision, Blue Jays utility player Ernie Clement spoke to Lindsay Dunn for The Nation Network's "Off the Roster Interview" on Tuesday.

"I was fired up," Clement said (Timestamp: 4:37). "I mean, we want as many good people and good players as possible. So, you know, from what I've heard, he's an awesome guy and he's a pretty darn good pitcher. So we'll take that."

Ernie Clement was among the stars of the Blue Jays' impressive 2025 postseason run that ended in a thrilling seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers. Clement recorded 30 hits in the postseason, the most for a player in a single campaign.

All-Star MLB veteran gives verdict on Dylan Cease

The Toronto Blue Jays already have a high-caliber starting pitcher rotation featuring Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, rookie phenom Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Eric Lauer and Bowden Francis.

With the addition of Dylan Cease, the Blue Jays arguably have the best rotation in the American League. While Cease is coming off a relatively lacklustre season, former MLB slugger and current analyst Harold Reynolds sees him as a good fit in Toronto.

"First off, I was like, that's a lot of money, $210 million for Dylan Cease," Reynolds said on Monday's "MLB Hot Stove". "But, if you look deep into it Dylan Cease like the Blue Jays did, he's healthy. This guy posts up, every start for the last five years. You may not be happy with the outings, but man, he gives you numbers.

"This guy's a gamer. 'Give me the ball, I'm after going you.' I think mechanically, his mechanics are so simple that he's going to stay healthy for a lot of years to come. Watching what that pitching staff's been able to do in Toronto, I think they look at him and say 'we can get a lot out of him. ' It's a nice fit, he added.

Following the Cease deal, the Blue Jays have further strengthened their depth with the acquisition of Cody Ponce, the 2025 KBO MVP. The Jays and Ponce have reportedly agreed on a three-year, $30 million deal.