While you can make an argument a mile long about all the things that went wrong for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, Dylan Cease is not one of them.

Cease was one of their biggest offseason acquisitions, but he is living up to his seven-year, $210 million contract and all the expectations that came with it.

Cease was officially named one of three finalists for the American League Cy Young Award on Monday. He will go up against New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick.

The Blue Jays didn’t even come close to finishing the season where they wanted to with a 79-83 record, but if you take your eyes off the past and focus on the future, Cease is giving everyone something to be excited about.

Cease Delivers in Dominant First Season

While the team can’t claim success in 2026, Cease certainly can. He finished with an 11-6 record, 2.40 ERA and 239 strikeouts over 169 innings.…