The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2025-2026 offseason as one of the most likely big spenders. Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker are the top targets for the Blue Jays, and while neither has signed yet, the Blue Jays have made some moves.
Dylan Cease signed a huge $210 million deal to come to Toronto to bolster the rotation, and now, another starting pitcher is coming to the Blue Jays.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays are signing Cody Ponce to a three-year deal worth $30 million. Ponce dominated in the KBO and now returns to the Major Leagues, joining the Blue Jays’ pitching staff.
Blue Jays add another starting pitcher after Dylan Cease
“Right-hander Cody Ponce and the Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a three-year, $30 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN,” Passan reported.
Ponce was pitching in the KBO in 2025, and he earned the KBO MVP award. He now returns to the Major Leagues for the first time since his brief stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 and 2021.
With Pittsburgh, Ponce had a 3.18 ERA in five games in 2020 and a 7.04 ERA in 15 starts in 2021. After that rough 2021 season, he left the Majors and hasn’t returned until now.
Ponce is signing a strong $30 million deal over three years, thanks to his MVP season in Korea. In 29 starts, Ponce had a 1.89 ERA with a remarkable 17-1 record,252 strikeouts, and only 10 home runs allowed in 180.2 innings pitched.
The 31-year-old right-hander joins the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and could be a very valuable arm for Toronto as they pursue another trip to the World Series.
While he’s a starting pitcher, the Blue Jays, with a crowded rotation after his and Cease’s contracts, might have to get creative.
But it’s a good problem to have. Cease, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios get a sixth starter in Ponce to make up the deepest rotation in MLB for 2026.
More Blue Jays News:
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- Numbers say Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk was ripped off in Gold Glove voting
- Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. decision has ESPN insider giving himself an ‘F-‘ grade
- MLB insider reports Blue Jays ‘salivating’ at chance to sign All-Star 3.20 ERA starter
- Blue Jays’ Kyle Tucker vs. Bo Bichette free agent decision revealed by MLB insider
