A look at the full 2026 All-MLB First Team 🤩
2 Blue Jays pitchers named to All-MLB First Team
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Nov 12, 2026, 12:45 ESTUpdated: Nov 12, 2026, 12:55 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays have two of the best players in Major League Baseball.
On Wednesday night, both Dylan Cease and Louis Varland were named to the 2026 All-MLB First Team.
In his first season with the Blue Jays after being signed to a seven-year, $210-million contract – the largest in franchise history – Cease did nothing but impress in his first season north of the border.
Across 29 starts, Cease went 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Cease struck out 239 batters – tied for third-most in MLB – and limited opponents to a .180 average – the second-best mark in the majors – over 169 innings pitched.
For his efforts, Cease was named one of the three finalists, along with New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick, for the American League’s Cy Young Award. Cease ultimately finished second in voting behind Schlittler, capping off what was a great first year in Toronto.
The four other starting pitchers named along with Cease to the All-MLB First Team were Schlittler, Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, and Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Varland dominated while working out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen this season, appearing in 71 games and going 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Varland struck out 97 batters across 78 innings pitched and limited opponents to a paltry .196 average. Varland recorded 35 saves in 37 opportunities and will enter the 2027 campaign as the Blue Jays’ undisputed ninth-inning man.
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2025, Varland took over the closer’s role from Jeff Hoffman toward the end of April and never looked back. Even without closing the full season, Varland was named the BBWAA American League Reliever of the Year, beating out Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker and Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith.
Varland, along with Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres, were the two relievers named to the All-MLB First Team.
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