Ex-Mariners star gives verdict on Blue Jays rotation ft. Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber

(Left to Right) Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber (Images from - Getty)
(Left to Right) Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber (Images from - Getty)

Aiming to build on the success of 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays bolstered their starting rotation in late November, signing right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract.

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Cease's addition to a pitching staff already boasting talents such as Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber now gives the Jays one of the most well-rounded starting rotations in the AL.

On Monday's episode of "Hot Stove", former Seattle Mariners star Harold Reynolds gave his verdict on the Jays' rotation and Cease's fit in Toronto.

"First off, I was like, that's a lot of money, $210 million for Dylan Cease," Reynolds said. "But, if you look deep into it, 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.
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"This guy's a gamer. I think mechanically, his mechanics are so simple, 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 can get a lot out of him. It's a nice fit. (I think they have the best rotation) in the American League, yeah."
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Dylan Cease's arrival may lead to Blue Jays trading two-time All-Star, per insider

While Dylan Cease's acquisition brings the Blue Jays' pitching staff plenty of additional quality, insider Mitch Bannon of The Athletic believes a now-crowded starting rotation may spell the end of two-time All-Star Jose Berrios' time at the Rogers Centre.

"(Dylan) Cease may not even be the final rotation move (for Toronto)," Bannon wrote on Thursday. "A trade could open the money and roster space for a more significant addition, too. They’d have a candidate in Berríos."
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"Owed $18.7 million in 2026 before a player opt-out, the Jays could look to move Berríos after four years in Toronto. Even if the 31-year-old remains with the Jays, he’ll have to earn a rotation spot again in spring training, another reason to add more depth.”
Jose Berrios in the Toronto Blue Jays' dugout during a game against the New York Yankees - Source: Getty
Jose Berrios in the Toronto Blue Jays' dugout during a game against the New York Yankees - Source: Getty

Berrios posted a 4.17 ERA in 2025, losing his spot in the starting rotation towards the end of the season as a result. If he does continue in Toronto, the Blue Jays may also consider deploying Berrios out of the bullpen.

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Edited by Raghav Mehta
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