Bo Bichette ‘Next Priority’ for Blue Jays After Reported Dylan Cease Deal

The Toronto Blue Jays checked one of their offseason boxes on Wednesday as they agreed to a reported $210 million deal with veteran starting pitcher Dylan Cease.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the news on Wednesday night.

“Right-hander Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a seven-year, $210 million contract, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. The defending American League champions get one of the best arms on the free agent market,” Passan wrote on X on Wednesday.

The Cease deal is great for Toronto. But what’s next for free agent infielder Bo Bichette? The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon reported that the Cease deal won’t “quell interest” in re-signing Bichette. Bannon also noted a deal isn’t “mandatory,” and former Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco could be an option if Bichette walks.

“The most obvious next priority would be bringing back Bichette,” Bannon wrote. “At his season-ending news conference, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed the team will be in his market this winter.

“Cease’s signing won’t quell interest in keeping Bichette, the homegrown star. But with Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, and Addison Barger able to fill infield positions, retaining Bichette isn’t necessarily a mandatory move. Toronto could instead turn to a secondary infield option like Jorge Polanco or simply enter 2026 with the same infield trio that helped the Jays to the World Series after Bichette suffered a late-season injury.”

The Blue Jays aren’t messing around and now have their ace. Now, all eyes are on Bichette around the league.

More MLB: Blue Jays Not Done After Reported $210M Dylan Cease Deal