Gabe Lacques, USA TODAYWed, December 3, 2025 at 12:31 AM UTC·2 min readThe Toronto Blue Jays are not hesitating to fortify the backbone of their success the past four seasons: Starting pitching.
On the same day they announced the signing of Dylan Cease to a $210 million contract, the club agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with another right-handed starter, Cody Ponce, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by The Athletic, is not yet official.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWho is Ponce, you ask?
Well, he's the latest pitcher who started his career in the major leagues, only to reinvent themselves playing overseas and return a finished product, ready to cash in on a more lucrative deal. Ponce, 31, pitched in 20 games, including five starts, for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2020 and '21 seasons, posting a 5.86 ERA.
Stuck in a perpetual swingman role even in the Pirates' minor leagues, he ventured to Asia in 2022 and in three seasons in Japan's top leagues, largely could not shake that inconsistency.
Yet a move to Hanwa of South Korea's KBO seemed to flip the switch.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe dominated this past season for the Eagles, striking out 252 batters in 189⅔ innings, with a 1.89 ERA and a 17-1 record over 29 starts. He earned MVP honors for his performance. Ponce's fastball now sits at 95 mph, a couple beats faster than his heater with the Pirates, and like so many major leaguers in recent years has added a split-finger pitch to his repertoire.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrate during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and Magic Johnson wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
A fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers with his dog after the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers players and coaches ride double-deck buses during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Magic Johnson waves to Los Angeles Dodgers fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) and teammate Enrique Hernandez (8) celebrate during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to the crowd during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a photo after the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans wait for the start of the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans react during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series.
A fan looks on before the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Celebration at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration.
Los Angeles Dodgers players hold the baseball World Series trophy as they greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.
A young fan runs with a Los Angeles Dodgers flag before the start of the Dodgers 2025 World Series Championship parade on Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Shohei Ohtani (L) and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledge the crowd during the Dodgers 2025 World Series Championship parade on Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers players greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on November 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.
Fans watch as Los Angeles Dodgers players greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to fans during the team's victory parade in Los Angeles after winning the World Series on Nov. 3, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans react as the team bus passes them during the team's victory parade in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025, after winning the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans wait for the start of the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.1 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrate during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.1 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrate during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.2 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and Magic Johnson wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.3 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
A fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers with his dog after the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.4 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players and coaches ride double-deck buses during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.5 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.6 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Magic Johnson waves to Los Angeles Dodgers fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.7 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.8 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) and teammate Enrique Hernandez (8) celebrate during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.9 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to the crowd during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.10 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a photo after the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.11 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers fans wait for the start of the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.12 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.13 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers fans react during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series.14 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
A fan looks on before the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Celebration at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles.15 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) wave to fans during the World Series championship parade and celebration.16 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players hold the baseball World Series trophy as they greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.17 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.18 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
A young fan runs with a Los Angeles Dodgers flag before the start of the Dodgers 2025 World Series Championship parade on Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.19 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Shohei Ohtani (L) and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledge the crowd during the Dodgers 2025 World Series Championship parade on Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles.20 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on November 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.21 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Fans watch as Los Angeles Dodgers players greet fans from an open-top bus during the team's victory parade after winning the World Series, in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory in extra innings to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Nov. 1, in one of the greatest Major League Baseball championship deciders in history.22 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers players wave to fans during the team's victory parade in Los Angeles after winning the World Series on Nov. 3, 2025.23 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers fans react as the team bus passes them during the team's victory parade in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025, after winning the World Series.24 / 24Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series titles with thousands of fans
Los Angeles Dodgers fans wait for the start of the World Series championship parade and celebration on Nov. 3, 2025.That will fit right in on the Blue Jays, whose rotation returnees in 2026 are splitter-happy veteran Kevin Gausman and rookie Trey Yesavage. Combined with Cease, that makes for a potentially dominant starting four, with veteran righty Jose Berrios – who sat out the Blue Jays' World Series run with an elbow injury – leading a deep contingent of arms who could fill in the No. 5 spot, barring trade.
And it also backfills both current and expected future losses in the rotation. Chris Bassitt's three-year deal with the club expired after the World Series, as did Max Scherzer's one-year deal. Gausman's $115 million pact is up after 2026.
Having taken care of their most significant winter need, the Blue Jays can now focus on retaining infielder Bo Bichette, their most significant free agent from their pennant-winning roster.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toronto Blue Jays signing Cody Ponce: Contract details
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