BLUE JAYS GAIN: ANALYZING DYLAN CEASE'S STRIKEOUT POTENTIAL
The Toronto Blue Jays make a huge splash, signing ace Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. Analysis and reaction.
What do the American League champs get for the $30 million a year they're paying Dylan Cease for the next seven seasons?
First off, the Blue Jays made a big statement by grabbing a pitcher many thought was the best available this winter.
While Cease has had his ups and downs, he's got a nasty swing-and-miss ability that's been fooling hitters since he showed up with the Chicago White Sox in 2019.
The Jays are also getting a workhorse who's made at least 30 starts in each of the last five seasons.
And, maybe most importantly, they've instantly remade their starting group, possibly making it the best in the AL. A dependable, top-tier guy is a great thing to have.
This big contract—$210 million total—shows the Jays are serious about keeping their run going.
They didn't just get a pitcher who's entering his best years; GM Ross Atkins made a bold move in late November to get him.
Looking closer at the Cease deal:
What's the potential?
Besides the strikeouts and heavy workload, the one thing people say about Cease is that he walks too many batters.
Even with that history, the Jays seem to think he can get even better.
Even though he's been great at times, you could say Cease hasn't always gotten the most out of his pitches. The walks are a problem, but he now has one of the best pitch-framers in the game in Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Some of his struggles in 2025 could be blamed on the Padres' bad defence. Now, Cease is moving to a team known for its great fielding.
The Jays have a history of getting the most out of new players, thanks to pitching coach Pete Walker and his staff. Remember, Cease has twice finished in the top 5 for the Cy Young Award.
The signing shows that Toronto is becoming a place where big-name players want to be. This has been happening more in recent years, especially after the World Series showed the team in a great way.
Did they overpay for Cease? Maybe. But that's what big-spending teams do when they're trying to win.
The Jays showed their financial strength again, and the baseball world is watching.
Cease's story
Cease was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2014 but was traded to the White Sox in 2017.
He debuted with the White Sox in 2019, making 14 starts with a 5.79 ERA.
Cease became a strikeout machine in 2021, leading the American League in strikeouts per inning.
He kept it up the next season, finishing second in Cy Young Award voting after going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA.
Cease was traded to the Padres before the 2024 season, helping San Diego reach the NL playoffs and throwing a no-hitter in July.
His deal with the Jays is the biggest they've ever given to a free agent and the most they've offered a free-agent pitcher. It's second only to Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million deal signed in April.
What will the rotation look like?
It's not clear where Cease will fit in, but his signing brings stability and top talent after Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer left.
Cease joins Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, rookie Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios, who wants to bounce back from a rough 2025. Erik Lauer, who was important to the team's success last season, is waiting as insurance.
This move lets the Jays start 2026 with good rotation depth, which is important for defending their AL East and AL titles.
Also, Bieber's decision to stay with the Jays and Cease's choice to come to Toronto show they want to be here.
What about Bo Bichette (and what's next)?
With the rotation settled, the attention now turns to what Atkins will do with the offence.
There's been talk that the Jays are interested in outfielder Kyle Tucker, considered the best available position player this year.
With the $210 million going to Cease, does that mean the Jays are out of the running for Tucker?
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com had an idea: If the Jays aren't going after Tucker, does that mean Bichette (who won't cost as much) becomes their priority?
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
