The Toronto Blue Jays gave $210 million to free agent pitcher Dylan Cease, a guy with a 4.18 ERA the past three seasons, worse than mid-rotation starters such as Bailey Ober, Jameson Taillon and Dean Kremer. Hold on. Once you get over the sticker price, you realize it’s a smart deal. Why?
1. It’s not really $210 million. With deferrals, it’s more like $182 million over seven years ($26 million per year), which puts him in line with one of his best comps, Carlos Rodón of the Yankees ($27 million per year), another high upside “stuff” guy plagued at times by inconsistency and a high walk rate.
