Dylan Cease has something to be thankful for tomorrow, a 7 yr./$210 M contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Although Cease was ranked as one of the top free agents on this year's market, his case is not without concerns. Let's break it down:
Dylan Cease RHP. DOB: 12/28/1995. 6' 2", 200 lbs. 8-12, 4.55, 168 IP, 11.52 K/9, 3.80 BB/9, 0.88 GB/FB, 11.9 HR/9.
Dylan Cease can be counted on to take the ball every 5'th game rain or shine. He's made at least 32 Starts for the 5 seasons although he does not go deep into game averaging just over 5 IP/Start. While his high K rate is an asset it, along with a relatively high walk rate, contributes to early exits. As for why his ERA has underperformed his peripheral stats for the third season in a row, the walks, flyball tendency and generous HR/FB are contributing factors.
Comment: Although there is a lot to like in Dylan Cease, 7 yr/$210 M is a big commitment to a pitcher who consistently underperforms their secondary stats.
Cease is a Boras client.
ReplyDelete....and.....?
DeletePerhaps if Boras and Cease are happy this early with $30,000,000 per year through his 36 yo season, could it be because they didn't think they could get more?
DeleteHis 5-inning starts are likely a ceiling...
Boras clients usually come with a large overpay or some opt-out or opt-in clause which is often detrimental to the team.
DeleteBoras is not holding a gun to team management/ownership heads.
DeleteYou seem a little chippy these days Doc
DeleteBoras not holding a gun to teams is correct. Its just that when it comes to Boras, its "buyer beware". The only specific we know about the Cease deal is the AAV of $30 million for seven years. More specifics, such as opt-outs, deferrals, or signing bonuses come later on. For example, the Blake Snell deal made by the Boras Corporation looked somewhat palatable until we found out about the deferred payment that the Giants have to make for 2026.
DeleteYou must be new to the blog. I am always chippy.
DeleteI would say for the most part the players Boras gets the best deals for give their teams great value and if teams feel burned by things like opt-out clauses and deferred money then they shouldn't sign those deals. Blake Snell missed most of the season this year and the Dodgers owe him for another 5 years but you don't hear the Dodgers or their fans complaining about either Snell or the contract.
DeleteBlue Jays will lose their second-round draft pick, too, somewhere around the mid-to-high 60's pick which occasionally works out, Bichette (66) and Alonso (64) are examples from 2016. Both worked out better than any 1st round pick.
ReplyDeleteThe bigger hit might end up being the loss of $1 million international bonus pool money.
DeleteTatsuya Imai has been linked to the Giants in some predictions, this should boost his value, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso of interest to Giant fans, Patrick Bailey and Randy Rodríguez earned bonuses in 2025: according to the Associated Press, Bailey and Rodríguez received $494,307 and $230,041, respectively, in pre-arbitration bonuses, rewards for just missing Super 2 status.