Cease was the guy I thought they really needed - established, durable, strong fastball... all stuff you need in the AL East. Takes some pressure off of Yesavage (and Tiedemann).

Now get another strong offensive player, a little bullpen help and add some depth around the edges.

I've like Rodolfo Castro for a while, too. Nice AAA/bench depth.

Signing pitchers to long term deals always feels extra risky because of pitchers health but:

1. This pitcher has a history of being very durable.
2. This pitcher is a high quality pitcher.
3. Our front office has been better than average at FA signings.

Plus, the Jays are continuing to establish themselves as a strong team for people to play for. Maybe even trying to push past the Yankees as the top non-Dodgers super team?

The 1 SP I wanted at the price i expected.

3 thumbs up.

Now sign Bo and an RP.

Agreed Marc. Just read through the other thread to catch up on what everyone is saying. See if my thoughts were way off or matching up with the group think. 7 years I'll agree is more than ideal (especially for a pitcher) but the Jays seem to do a good job figuring out which starters will last - see Gausman, Bassitt, Berrios (so far). Everyone accepted day one that Ryu would miss a year at some point of his deal but the Jays were bottom dwellers at the time and had to make some kind of splash however they could and without him they don't make the 2020 playoffs, and probably not the '23 playoffs either (mid-season return to the majors just as Manoah went down).

This means for 2027 we have Cease-Yesavage-and 3 ? probably Tiedemann, Stanifer, King - if no one else is signed (very unlikely) - more likely Gausman resigned for 2-3 years, maybe someone else as well so the 3 kids have 1 slot while hoping Yesavage can hold down a slot.

Next shoe to drop is probably a hitter - Bo, Tucker, Bregman - one of those 3 is my prediction. Zero interest in sub top 10 guys as we have lots of depth already and guys who can hit for a 100-110 wRC+ as is, no need to spend a lot getting another one. The pen is a whole other ballgame, I have no idea what to expect beyond 1-2 high end guys and maybe 1-2 mid-to-low end guys. Utility players are being covered nicely with AAA signings imo.

The Wheeler deal is an interesting comp.

I like that he has proven upside of an ace. I think even Imai probably doesn’t offer that right now. I don’t like that the limiting factor is command and that it’s been so fleeting and that he’s had bad numbers in SanDiego which I imagine is still a pitchers park.

I like this more than had they signed Tucker at the numbers being suggested. Is that the Jays out of the Tucker running? I assume so.

It's a nice get. Shapiro and Atkins obviously value durability in pitchers.

Sign Bichette or Tucker, a really good reliever and that's the heavy lifting done.

I would rather see money spent on Cease + one of Tucker/Bo/Bregman/Marte than a bunch of money spent on a reliever or two.

Deferrals bring it down to $26m per year.