Fresh off their heartbreaking defeat in this year's World Series, the Blue Jays seem to be wasting no time in gearing up for next year. The organization acquired the services of former Padres starter Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal on Wednesday. Cease is fresh off a subpar year for the Friars, having tallied an 8-12 record across 32 starts with a 4.55 ERA and 215 strikeouts.While Cease's stats this season were a far cry from what he compiled in 2024, former Angels slugger-turned-sportscaster Eduardo Perez discussed the upside of acquiring the pitcher. Perez stated his arguments about Cease's signing on MLB Radio."Here's why the Blue Jays were smart to bet on him: Cease is not just a pitcher, he's a missed bats machine," Perez proclaimed. "[He has] high 90s velocity [and a] high slider, two pitches that still scare hitters," he added. (0:06-0:18)Cease recorded just nine fewer strikeouts from his 2024 total of 224 despite his struggles this year. This was pointed out by Perez on his show and further channeled the hurler's 2022 season with the White Sox, wherein Cease recorded a career-high 2.20 ERA that had him finish as the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award."Cease also brings something that teams cannot fins anymore: durability, availability, and volume. He takes the ball [and] he makes the starts, that matters more than ever." (0:46-1:00)In 2025, Cease actually finished in the 95th percentile when it comes to whiff percentage at 33.4%. In addition, he also belonged in the 89th percentile in strikeout percentage and 80th percentile in chase rate."This contract is not about what Cease was last season. It's about what he can be in the next few years ... He just turned 30. This deal makes prime years, not decline years. Velocity and swing and miss age better with finesse. Is there a risk? 100% there's a risk, but elite strikeout pitchers do not reach free agency often and that's why good teams pay for the upside." (1:01-1:35)Blue Jays' World Series grand slam ball hits auctionAddison Barger's historic pinch-hit grand slam in Game 1 of this year's World Series recently hit the free market as it was put up for auction at Sotheby's for $3,200.Barger tallied the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in the Fall Classic at the bottom of the sixth inning off Dodgers reliever Anthony Banda. The long ball then helped the Blue Jays draw first blood in the series with an 11-4 victory.