Toronto Blue Jays to Enter Dylan Cease Sweepstakes? Struggling Ace’s Murky Future Prompts Pitching Questions

The Toronto Blue Jays have big plans, but their offseason didn’t match those ambitions. They missed out on stars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, leaving fans with a lingering sense of disappointment. Now, a new crisis is brewing as their once-dominant pitching is showing cracks. Star pitcher Alek Manoah, fresh off a Cy Young-caliber season in 2022, has been struggling in a major way. Could this be a temporary setback or a sign of something more serious?

If Manoah’s woes continue, whispers of a blockbuster trade for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease could grow into a roar. Cease, a tantalizingly talented pitcher, has been linked to several trade rumors for months. With the Birds’ pitching suddenly in question, could a desperate front office gamble on a Cease deal to salvage their season?

Dylan Cease: The Dream Trade Target vs. Alek Manoah’s Downward Spiral

“There is natural hope that the 26-year-old turns it around,” notes FanSided in a recent report. But “Manoah’s spring training is off to an extremely dicey start.” His 5.87 ERA collapse in 2023 was painful to watch, and those issues haven’t disappeared. Panic is setting in—what if Toronto’s young ace has permanently lost his way? This is where Dylan Cease enters the picture.

The White Sox star is also coming off a down year, but his potential remains sky high. “Cease can still ratchet up the velocity and get a ton of swings and misses with his four-pitch arsenal,” the source points out. Toronto may be the perfect place to recapture his former glory. With that, he’d join a talented rotation, easing the pressure while still being the centerpiece of a contending team. But it won’t be cheap.

Read More: Gerrit Cole’s Struggling Rival Set for Comeback? Toronto Blue Jays’ Skipper Backs Alek Manoah’s Career Revival

Chicago wants the moon in lieu of Dylan Cease, and Toronto’s farm system isn’t exactly overflowing. But the upside is tantalizing. Cease is young, with just two years under team control yet to cover under his current contract. As the report puts it in retrospect, “Relatively young pitchers under contract for multiple years are not often available.” Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Blue Jays might have to reach deep to make this happen.

Why Now? Why the Blue Jays?

The White Sox are playing a patient game with Dylan Cease, but his open trade availability must be wearing thin. Toronto’s urgency, their solid core, and their need for a bounce-back star create a compelling match. The Birds need to start winning, and they need to win now. Adding Cease, who comes with a proven potential of 2.20 ERA, would make a bold statement that they aren’t taking this season lightly.

Read More: Top Teams Interested in Dylan Cease? Thin Pitcher Market Impacts White Sox Ace’s Trade Value

Could a blockbuster be brewing? It’s the kind of gamble Toronto might have to make. They’ve tasted success but need that final push to become true World Series contenders. If Manoah remains lost and the Cease rumors gain traction, don’t be surprised to see the Blue Jays make a shocking splash on the trade market.