The Toronto Blue Jays made a huge splash in free agency on Wednesday, and a pair of former players are praising the team for becoming a destination.
Ricky Romero and Kevin Pillar both took to social media to credit the Blue Jays for laying the foundation that helped the team become a World Series contender and land ace Dylan Cease.
Romero, who pitched for the Blue Jays from 2009-13, wrote that "free agents took notice" of the fan atmosphere in Toronto during the playoffs. Pillar, who had his own playoff moments in the Blue Jays outfield and has also done work for Sportsnet as an analyst, seconded Romero's comment and added that the Blue Jays' "world-class facilities" and the way they treat players' families are also "top-notch."
Cease and the Blue Jays agreed to a seven-year, $210-million contract that is the largest free-agent commitment in franchise history.
The right-hander joins a rotation headlined by Kevin Gausman and also includes star rookie Trey Yesavage. Shane Bieber, who had a chance to enter free agency but opted to remain with the Blue Jays instead, and Jose Berrios, whose $131-million contract was the previous franchise record for a pitcher before Cease's pact.
After a season in which the Blue Jays won the AL East and came within one win of a World Series title, it's clear that players are noticing and want to be a part of bringing a championship back to Canada.
