jaysblue

Yeah Cease isn't an ace at the moment but he has the potential to be an ace if he puts it all together. Getting out of Chicago helped and hopefully now with the Jays system, they can help him work towards that. This signing kind of reminds me of when the Jays signed AJ Burnett during the 2005/2006 offseason. Burnett at the time was at a similar age and more of a No. 2 throughout his career, though had the stuff and all the potential to become an ace. The only difference between Burnett and Cease has been durability. At the time, health/durability was Burnett's issue as we saw in 2006 and 2007 he only made around 20-25 starts each of those seasons. Though in 2008, he pretty much developed into that ace Toronto envisioned during his opt out year lol, posting a 5 WAR season. Sucked with the Yankees after, though put together some solid years with the Pirates. The plus with Cease is durability and a healthy track record, so you know he's good for 30+ starts and around 170-180 innings and likely a floor of 3.5-4 WAR, which is still very good. Cease has the potential to turn in a 5-6 WAR season if he puts everything together and that is exciting!

I wouldn't think the Jays are done in terms of adding to their rotation. Like some on here have already said, they might try to build a rotation of all #1/2 arms. As well, they might try to replicate what the Dodgers did with their pitching to an extent during the regular season/postseason. Maybe they ease Bieber and Yesavage throughout the first half since they likely want to watch their innings totals with Bieber coming back from injury and Yesavage still only 22. As for Gausman and Cease, they make their 30+ starts each. Maybe Bieber and Yesavage around 20ish during the regular season, so they can be let loose in September and the Postseason. Berrios might be pushed to 6th on their depth charts, but he'll still be utilized throughout the regular season.

Just read that Vladdy and Marte are cousin-in-laws. Interesting.

Gonna get LIT tonight gentlemen!

Nice getting them at those odds. Did $100 on the World Series at 17 to 1. Likely won't get any better as the offseason rolls along.

Damn, Jays were 21 to 1 to win the World Series, now they're 17 to 1 lol. Should I put down some money?

I'm buying a Dylan Cease jersey.

Rogers drained so many bank accounts this October, who cares!

Gausman, Cease, Bieber, Yesavage, Berrios, Lauer What a rotation! Hope Berrios returns to previous form and we're laughing!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Woohoo!

Remember the days when Marcus Stroman was being compared to Sonny Gray.

You never saw the leaked photo's? lol

As for Verlander, we already know what he's packing. You want a guy like that pitching in a Game 7 with the season on the line.

Yeah that's fair. Though maybe it's something the Jays look at in January once all the other top FA arms are off the market, not right now. I would be open to Verlander as the #4/5 starter at that price.

Haha. Verlander was good last season though, so he would be an upgrade over Scherzer, but yeah he's going to be 43 and you might get a relapse to 2023, which would suck. Might be a January signing if the Jays strikeout on Cease, Imai, Suarez or anyone else.

As a baseball fan, wouldn't you love to see another Hall of Famer like Verlander for one season in a Jays uniform? Plus, Kate Upton watching games at the Rogers Centre!

You're not going to be able to dump Berrios to free up money, unless you pay for some of his salary like you said. Would have to take on another contract. Yeah right now, you don't trade for Semien with Bo still a FA and the possibility that he might be back. Timing doesn't work. If Bo was off the market, I would be fine with Semien at 2B with Gimenez at SS. Interesting trade for sure. Hope we see more trades like this during the offseason.

He had a good season in San Fran. Kind of under the radar. Made 29 starts, pitched 152 innings, 8.11 K/9, 3.85 ERA, 3.85 FIP and 2.2 WAR. The baseball fan in me would love to see another future Hall of Famer pitch in a Jays uniform for one season. What a treat that would be!

Nimmo has the higher floor since he seems like he should be good for 3 WAR regardless and offensively won't hurt you as much. He's also three years younger. Semien has higher upside if he can return to being a 4+ WAR player, which he's only one-year removed from. Two-years removed from a 6.5 WAR season. He's 35 now though which is a concern. Worst case, his floor is a 2-3 WAR second baseman over a full season as he proved in 2025, though offensively he could be awful if relying on him as a major bat. Like the trade a lot overall from both perspectives. Me personally, I would take the chance on Semien since he gives you a solid glove at second base and if there is a possible dead cat bounce in him, he's capable of putting together a 5-6 WAR season.

How is it strange? That's what you call a great challenge trade. Both teams swapped players who were 30+ on big contracts, hoping maybe a change of scenery gives either an extra boost. Never thought of it, but Berrios for Semien would have been good and could have made sense haha.

Yeah as a 5th starter, you can definitely do a lot worse. Only thing is the contract sucks and will continue to suck unless he returns to being a 2-3 WAR pitcher. If he is sour on the organization now by being pulled from the rotation and it becomes a clubhouse issue, definitely gotta dump him. Hopefully that isn't the case.

What are your thoughts on Justin Verlander as another starter? Seems more durable than Scherzer and had more success in 2025. He would definitely benefit pitching in front of this Jays defense and would have a chance at another ring in Toronto. He's had some of his most memorable starts in Toronto and is familiar with the city. Would slide in nicely as the No. 4/5 starter behind Gausman, Bieber and Yesavage. Would rather sign him to a deal around $15M for one-year over Scherzer or signing Bassitt to a 2-3 year deal.

Or worse, like Gustavo Chacin and then comes out with his own cologne - Yesauvage for Men!

Yeah I think they could finish in the range when all is said and done at the end of the season for sure.

Easy schedule so far and everyone has stayed healthy. If injuries start to hit some of their key guys - Barnes, Ingram, Barrett, Quickley - not sure the Raps have the depth to overcome missing one or multiple of those guys for an extended period. They should make the Playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference, though I don't consider them Championship Contenders. Likely a first or second round exit IMO.