Blue Jays' Dylan Cease signing doesn't impress executives across MLB

The Toronto Blue Jays were widely regarded for having one of the best offseason's of any Major League team. However, when put under the microscope, many of the leagues executives weren't too impressed with one of the Blue Jays major offseason moves; the signing of free agent pitcher Dylan Cease.

According to an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic's Jason stark, MLB executives ranked the Cease deal as the worst signing of the offseason.

Blue Jays' Dylan Cease signing doesn't impress executives across MLB

13 executives thought the Cease deal didn't make a whole lot of sense. Stark writes, "How did Cease wind up atop the “worst” list? Um, have you noticed this guy can be a little erratic? And that $210 million he’ll rake in is a record for a pitcher who has led his league in walks and wild pitches twice. “If he walks less guys than the dollars that he’s paid,” quipped one voter, “he’s got a chance” (to be worth the money). …"

Behind Cease there were 8 executives who voted for Kyle Tucker, five that voted Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette each, four who landed on Devin Williams and four others who chose Jorge Planco. And while there is a valid argument to be made about Cease's control, he was also regarded as one of the top arms available on the free agent market.

And when you look at the numbers there is plenty to bet high on with Cease, which is what the Blue Jays did. His 2025 Baseball Savant page is full of red markers, with many of his statistic's in the 80th percentile and above. His K% sits in the 89th percentile while his whiff percentage is in the 95th percentile. His fastball velo sits at 97 mph, ranking in the 88th percentile.

What he'll need to get a handle on is the walk rate (20th percentile) and while his 4.55 ERA doesn't look great, his xERA of 3.46 is much more respectable and something that seems achievable with one of the league's top defenses behind him in Toronto. Hitters batted .239 against him, but his xBA was .214 indicting some unlucky tendencies in 2025 in San Diego.

Despite the survey results not loving this deal that pays Cease $210 million over seven seasons, the Blue Jays also ranked high in the survey in the "Most Improved AL Team category." Along with the Baltimore Orioles toping the list with 28 votes and the Boston Red Sox finishing second with 21, the Blue Jays were right behind their division rivals getting 19 votes.

Starks writes, "Could the Blue Jays actually be better? It’s been a long time since we lived in a world where a bunch of cool free agents couldn’t wait to play for the Blue Jays. But here we are. Dylan Cease! Kazuma Okamoto! Tyler Rogers! Cody Ponce! Their contracts add up to almost a half-billion Canadian dollars (plus tax). So even minus Bo Bichette, this team still has The Look.

“Many of the signings felt like overpays,” said one voter. “But they have the money … and often have to overpay to convince players to sign there.”

After a run to the World Series that came up just short, Blue Jays fans could care less if the signings look like "overpays" as long as it pays off in more wins and postseason memories.