Veteran Max Scherzer Rejoins Blue Jays On One-Year Contract

Max Scherzer has agreed to a new contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Scherzer signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Blue Jays. Scherzer can make up to $10 million in incentives. 

Scherzer made 17 starts for the Blue Jays in 2025 and had a 5.19 ERA. His main saving grace was that his walks per nine innings were still low at 2.4. 

However, Scherzer did show some improvement in the playoffs. He had a 3.77 ERA in three starts. His main concern was that his FIP was 5.58. This suggests Scherzer may have been getting lucky in the playoffs rather than pitching better.  

Scherzer made his first of eight All-Star teams with the Detroit Tigers in 2013. He had a 2.90 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. These stats were enough for him to win the American League Cy Young Award.

The Washington Nationals signed Scherzer to a contract in the 2014-15 offseason. He made an All-Star team in every one of his seasons with the Nationals, except 2020, when there was no All-Star Game. Scherzer had a 2.40 ERA in six appearances in the 2019 playoffs. He played an instrumental part in the team’s World Series win that season. 

Scherzer was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and signed with the New York Mets in 2022. The Texas Rangers traded for Scherzer in 2023. Scherzer won his second World Series with the Rangers, although he was a smaller part of this team. He had a 6.52 ERA in three starts in the playoffs. 

Scherzer provided important veteran leadership for the Blue Jays on their way to the 2025 World Series. They hope he can build on his playoff improvements and continue to be a clubhouse leader.