Guardians killer returns to American League with record-setting deal from Blue Jays 

At the end of spring training in 2024, the Chicago White Sox traded starting pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. While it was a move that reset the power structure in the National League, it was also a move that elicited plenty of sighs in Northeast Ohio, as Cease had made a habit of dominating the Guardians during his five year stint on Chicago's South Side. 

Now he’s back.

On Wednesday, Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed on a seven-year, $210 million deal that will bring him back to the Junior Circuit after two years away. And while the Guardians will see him less than they did when he was with the White Sox, Toronto’s move all but confirms the Guardians will have to go through him at some point if they want to make some noise in the American League’s postseason picture. 

Dylan Cease is back in the Guardians’ way in the American League 

Cease has thrown 77 innings against the Guardians in his career (14 starts) with a 3.39 ERA. Ironically, his best start against the Guardians came in 2024 when he was with the Padres. He allowed one hit over seven innings with 10 strikeouts in a San Diego win. 

The biggest thing Cease has going for him is durability, as he’s made 32 starts in each of his past five seasons. Now he’s going to be another weapon in a Toronto starting rotation that’s becoming an embarrassment of riches. 

Along with having Cease, the Blue Jays have old friend Shane Bieber alongside rookie Trey Yesavage, José Berríos and Kevin Gausman. It’s one of the few rotations that can rival the Guardians. 

The deal also confirms that the American League is going to be a literal arms race this offseason. After the Rangers kicked things off with a weird trade for Brandon Nimmo, the only other big move so far has been the Red Sox acquiring starting pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the Cardinals. 

The Blue Jays were able to best both the Yankees and Red Sox in the race for the American League pennant in 2025, and it seems like everyone in the division is restocking to compete in 2026. 

The Guardians may still stand at the top of the American League Central, but the gap between them and the rest of the division is beginning to grow wider.