The Toronto Blue Jays’ signings of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce should erase any doubt about their stature within the AL East, as the reigning division champions now have one of the best rotations in baseball to pair with their elite offense.

Of course, Bo Bichette looms large on the free-agent market, but with Cease, Kevin Gausman, and Trey Yesavage leading the way on the mound and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. taking hacks in the batter’s box, the Blue Jays should be just fine no matter what happens with the star shortstop. That’s especially true when you look at the rest of the division. The Baltimore Orioles wrapped up a disappointing season in 2025 and have pivoted by trading away talented young pitchers for outfield rentals. The Tampa Bay Rays, meanwhile, are reportedly mulling over more ways to cut payroll.

Then there’s the New York Yankees, who the Blue Jays crushed in the ALDS. As they prepare for a bidding war for Cody Bellinger, they must come to terms with the fact that, for the second straight offseason, an incumbent star chose the crosstown rival Mets over them in free agency.

That leaves only the Boston Red Sox, who, after acquiring Sonny Gray, are likely the Blue Jays’ biggest competition in the AL East next season. That will be especially true if MLB insider Mark Feinsand’s “perfect free-agent fit” winds up signing with the Red Sox.

Red Sox could be primary AL East threat to Blue Jays if they sign Pete Alonso in free agency

The Red Sox now have a loaded rotation led by Garrett Crochet and Gray, as well as a strong bullpen helmed by Aroldis Chapman. If they can get their lineup up to snuff by signing Pete Alonso, as Feinsand suggests they should, they could prove to be incredibly dangerous in 2026.

The Red Sox’s biggest problem this past season was generating power after trading away Rafael Devers, as they ranked 27th in the league in home runs in the second half. Alonso, who just hit 38 home runs in 2025 and has averaged more than 37 per season in his seven-year career, would be an immediate boost to the middle of their lineup.

Of course, like the Blue Jays, the Red Sox are also facing the potential departure of a star player in Alex Bregman. Alonso would be a nice replacement for the two-time champion, but their lineup may not be that much better if they only add him and do nothing else to fortify the rest of the infield.

And, even if they do, it’s not hard to imagine them struggling with the Cease-led Blue Jays next year. With a rotation that should rival almost any other in the sport, Toronto should be able to shut down the Red Sox, even if they add Alonso to the fold.