‘It shows where we want to be as a team’: Springer on Cease signing with Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jay George Springer participates in a fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Canada.

George Springer says the signing of Dylan Cease this off-season is an indicator of where the Toronto Blue Jays organization is and where the players want to be as a team.

Speaking at an event for Canada’s Make-A-Wish foundation in Toronto on Wednesday, Springer reacted to the news that the Jays had inked a seven-year deal worth US$210 million with the right-handed pitcher.

• READ MORE: Reports say Blue Jays finalizing 3-year deal with right-hander Ponce after announcing official signing of Cease

“I think it shows where the organization is and it shows where we want to be as a team to go get a guy like that,” Springer told reporters. “To add him (Cease) into our clubhouse will be huge.”

“Everybody is antsy to get going again,” he continued. “It was a great year for us as a team. A lot to hold our hat on, so to see guys want to come here is special to us in the locker room.”

Springer said he was sleeping when the news about signing Cease initially broke, but that it was “nice” to wake up to, calling it “exciting.”

Speaking about the atmosphere in the Jays’ locker room, something that was evident during their postseason run and caught a lot of U.S. media attention, Springer said the team is very special to him and that players who want to join them “means a lot to us.”

“Our team was special, is special to me,” Springer said. “There’s a lot that goes into playing this game, so for guys to want to come here, to want to sign up for as long as they have, it means a lot to us and obviously shows who they are as well.”

On the devasting Game 7 World Series loss against the L.A. Dodgers, the designated hitter said he’s spent some time “being a dad” and has prioritized getting time away from everything.

Still, he said the team is closer than ever and they’re looking forward to spring training.

“We just talk all the time,” Springer told reporters. “Whether I’m on the phone with Daulton (Varsho) or something, it’s a very close knit group. That’s one of the things about our team that was special.”

“To still have these conversations, to still talk to each other as if we’re going to be at the field tomorrow, it really does show us how close everybody is.”