ORLANDO—The team that offers the most money often comes away with the winning bid, but a jaw-dropping sum of cash wasn’t the only thing Dylan Cease was interested in.

As the Blue Jays officially introduced Cease as the newest member of their starting rotation on Day 2 of Major League Baseball’s annual winter meetings, it quickly became clear the 29-year-old had done his homework.

In the weeks leading up to signing a seven-year deal worth $210 million (U.S.), Cease spent a lot of time talking to other players about their thoughts on the Jays organization.

The former Cy Young candidate exchanged messages with Kevin Gausman and George Springer. He asked probing questions to the club’s coaches and medical staff. What emerged from those conversations was a strong desire to land in Toro

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