Blue Jays’ Cease, Varland Named Cy Young and Reliever Award Finalists

Dylan Cease and Louis Varland of the Toronto Blue Jays have been named finalists for the American League Cy Young Award and AL Reliever of the Year Award, respectively, according to announcements by MLB and the Baseball Writers Association of America. Cease, 30, is one of three Cy Young finalists alongside New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Cleveland Guardians right-hander Parker Messick. Varland, 28, is among the three Reliever of the Year finalists, competing against Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker and Guardians right-hander Cade Smith. The winners will be revealed on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network.

Cease, who signed a seven-year, $210-million contract with the Blue Jays last off-season, posted a 2.40 ERA with 239 strikeouts over 169 innings in his first season with the team. His performance included two no-hit bids in July, though his fastball velocity declined after those starts, culminating in a 91.1 m.p.h. first pitch in his final game of the season. He was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. Varland, acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline, set an MLB post-season record for relief appearances during the Blue Jays’ World Series run and recorded 35 saves with a 1.27 ERA in 78 innings.

Cease’s Cy Young Contention

Cease’s 239 strikeouts ranked fourth all-time for a Blue Jays starter, with a 12.7 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate that set a franchise record. His 2.40 ERA and 169 innings pitched placed him among the top vote-getters, though Yankees ace Cam Schlittler’s 1.95 ERA over 193 2/3 innings likely narrowed the gap. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins praised Cease’s “buy-in” and “humility,” stating there were no concerns about his shoulder inflammation, which occurred after velocity dips. Cease’s 2026 season marked his second career Cy Young finalist appearance, having finished second in 2022.

Varland’s Reliever of the Year Bid

Varland’s 1.27 ERA and 35 saves in 78 innings ranked among the best in Blue Jays history, with his performance during the 2025 World Series run highlighting his reliability. The 28-year-old’s 97 strikeouts and 23 walks proved his effectiveness, though he faced competition from Baker, who had 41 saves with a 1.44 ERA, and Smith, who saved 41 games with a 1.95 ERA. If selected, Varland would become the first Blue Jays pitcher to win the Reliever of the Year Award, with his calm demeanor and intensity in tight situations drawing comparisons to franchise legends like Tom Henke and Duane Ward.