The Toronto Blue Jays fired the opening salvo on the starting pitching free-agent market, locking up Dylan Cease on a massive $210 million contract. Cease may have been an option for the New York Yankees, who will now have to look elsewhere to shore up the 2026 rotation.
Where they go could be interesting. They've been eyeing 27-year-old Japanese star Tatsuya Imai, whose recent comments have made a Bronx landing look even more likely. Imai isn't the only option, however, and a recent Jon Heyman report would have them looking at one of the most experienced and accomplished starters on the market.