Blue Jays' signing of Dylan Cease voted worst move of offseason by Athletic survey
Photo credit: https://torontosun.com/
While the Toronto Blue Jays have been lauded for their aggressive off-season, it turns out that not everyone is a fan.
Canada's team got things going early when they signed marquee free-agent starter Dylan Cease to a seven year contract in early December.
The $210MM figure represented the largest free agent signing in franchise history.
However, many front office executives feel that it was a poorly executed move by the Toronto Blue Jays.
The result was revealed in an anonymous survey conducted by Jayson Stark for The Athletic.
It's one of my favorite columns of the year..
So I'm making it free for all to read with this gift link!
Most improved/least improved teams
Best/worst free agents
Best trades
Spring story lines
And of course we play the popular game, "Name 6 Rockies!"
So I'm making it free for all to read with this gift link!
Most improved/least improved teams
Best/worst free agents
Best trades
Spring story lines
And of course we play the popular game, "Name 6 Rockies!"
Blue Jays still considered most-improved team in offseason
In total, 13 executives thought Cease's deal didn't make sense, even though he was considered the top arm on the market.
Um, have you noticed this guy can be a little erratic? And that $210 million he’ll rake in is a record for a pitcher who has led his league in walks and wild pitches twice. “If he walks less guys than the dollars that he’s paid,” quipped one voter, “he’s got a chance” (to be worth the money). …"
While the criticisms of Cease are valid, he also has the numbers to back up the money he received.
His whiff percentage ranks in the 95th percentile, while his fastball in the 97th. Many of his other stats are high on red ink as well.
In spite of the respondents' reservations about Cease, many still labelled the Blue Jays as the most improved team of the off-season, even if some of their signings felt like overpays.
Cease has seven years to prove the doubters wrong.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
San Diego Padres sign former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
San Diego Padres sign former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 16|175 ANSWERS Blue Jays' signing of Dylan Cease voted worst move of offseason by Athletic survey Did the Blue Jays overpay for Dylan Cease? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 50.9 % |
| No | 86 | 49.1 % |
| List of polls | ||