The Blue Jays have been keeping an eye on Max Scherzer throughout the offseason, and things have started to heat up between the two sides recently. While no deal is finalized, Toronto seems eager to bring the three-time Cy Young winner back to the Rogers Centre, despite competition from other clubs.
Scherzer, now 41, had a challenging 2025 season with the Jays after signing a one-year, $15.5 million deal. Injuries to his thumb and a nerve in his right arm limited him to just 85 innings, resulting in a career-worst 5.19 ERA.
However, he still managed to strike out 22.9% of batters and maintained a solid 6.4% walk rate. His swinging-strike rate dipped slightly but remained close to the league average.
A significant portion of Scherzer's struggles came from one rough outing where he gave up seven runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Excluding that game, he posted a 4.48 ERA over 16 starts. While not stellar, he was serviceable for much of the season and improved during the playoffs, recording a 3.77 ERA in 14 1/3 innings over three starts.
Toronto's rotation already boasts depth with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and Cody Ponce set to start the season. Shane Bieber is also returning on a one-year deal but will begin the season on the injured list due to forearm fatigue.
This precautionary move follows his 88-inning comeback from Tommy John surgery last year. Additionally, Bowden Francis is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
With these recent setbacks, it's clear why the Jays might want to bolster their rotation. If they strike a deal with Scherzer, they may ease him into the season, aiming for a debut in late April or early May.
Financially, signing Scherzer isn't straightforward. The Jays are already in the top tier of luxury tax penalties and would face a 110% tax on any salary paid to Scherzer, pushing their payroll to new heights.
Despite the financial implications, adding depth is crucial given the current state of their rotation. Eric Lauer, who had a strong 2025 with the Jays, is set for a swing role but could be called upon if injuries persist.
Beyond him, the options are less certain. Ricky Tiedemann is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Adam Macko struggled with command issues in Triple-A.
Other prospects like Lazaro Estrada and Angel Bastardo face their own challenges.
Given these uncertainties, whether it's bringing back Scherzer or signing a veteran like Anthony DeSclafani, adding more depth seems like a smart move for Toronto.