There’s a reason MLB fans everywhere opened their eyes wide when the Toronto Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease to the largest free-agent contract in franchise history.
It was a particularly jarring moment for the rest of the American League East, and not because of the money. Toronto, fresh off a World Series berth, had just added one of the game’s top strikeout artists to their rotation.
As a club like the Boston Red Sox measures its own rotation against Toronto’s in 2026, the idea of the Blue Jays adding Cease to a mix that already features Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber (not to mention latest addition Cody Ponce) is a tad anxiety-inducing.
But what if things are even scarier for the Red Sox and the rest of the AL East than they currently appear, particularly when it comes to Cease? What if, as AJ Pierzynski suggested recently on the “Foul Territory” podcast, Cease still hasn’t reached his ceiling, and he’s about to do so in Toronto?
AJ Pierzynski believes Dylan Cease can level up in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, which is a terrible possibility for the Red Sox to consider
Cease is in the middle of his athletic prime, as he’ll be 30 years old when Opening Day 2026 arrives. His relative youth, combined with Toronto’s tendency to get the most out of their starting pitchers, could lead to Cease unleashing a new level. This was Pierzynski’s point, noting that Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker “knows how to get the most out of guys.”
Pierzynski also specifically brought up a possible area of improvement for Cease, which could be addressed in Toronto: “If (Walker) can every figure out a way to get Dylan Cease to just throw some more fastballs, so that he doesn’t have to throw a slider every pitch, the sky is the limit for this guy,” he said.
Foul Territory’s Erik Kratz also chimed in and indicated that Cease can get to “another level” by limiting his walks.
Cease’s talent and production so far in his career just earned him north of $200 million. He’s already really, really good. But the idea that he still hasn’t touched his potential and could be about to enter his best phase as a starting pitcher is what should have the Red Sox and the rest of the AL East a bit squeamish.
If you’re entering a playoff series against the Blue Jays with Gausman, Cease, Yesavage, and Bieber at their best (or even just three of those guys humming), you have a mighty tall mountain to climb. It’s no wonder the Red Sox are reportedly on the hunt for more offense.
