The Toronto Blue Jays have bolstered their starting rotation by signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal and Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract following their near-miss in the 2025 World Series. All-Star infielder Bo Bichette, their biggest free agent, remains a key focus as the team heads into the Winter Meetings. Bichette expressed his desire to stay with the club after the postseason.
After reaching the 2025 World Series for the first time since 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays entered the offseason as active spenders. They quickly addressed their pitching needs by acquiring free-agent starter Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million contract. The team then added Cody Ponce, who returns to MLB after stints in Japan and as KBO MVP in Korea, on a three-year, $30 million deal. These moves complete a rotation featuring Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Ponce, with depth from José Berríos and Eric Lauer.
Bo Bichette, a 2016 Blue Jays draft pick and two-time All-Star, headlines their free-agent class. In 2025, he batted .311/.357/.483 with a 129 OPS+, recording 181 hits, 44 doubles, 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs, and 3.5 WAR over 139 games. A knee injury sidelined him for the ALDS and ALCS, but he played all seven World Series games, hitting .348 with one home run and six RBI. Notably, Bichette hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 before the Dodgers' comeback victory.
Bichette has voiced his commitment to the team. "I’ve said I want to be here from the beginning," he said hours after the Game 7 loss. Rumors of re-signing surfaced at the general manager meetings about a month ago, though details remain scarce as of Dec. 3. The Blue Jays' projected 40-man payroll stands at nearly $271 million, exceeding the luxury tax and marking their second-highest ever after last season's $278 million.
Potential infield options without Bichette include Ernie Clement at second base, Andrés Giménez at shortstop, Addison Barger at third base, and Davis Schneider as depth, with Anthony Santander in the outfield. Analysts suggest the Jays could backload or defer a deal for Bichette, similar to trends with the Dodgers. Comparisons point to Willy Adames' seven-year, $182 million pact with the Giants at $26 million AAV. Bichette's sprint speed declined in 2025, potentially shifting him to second base long-term. The Winter Meetings in Orlando next week could clarify his future, with the team also having extended Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for $500 million in the spring.
