Max Scherzer isn’t done yet - not by a long shot. The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer came within reach of a third World Series ring this past November, falling just short as the Blue Jays were edged out by the Dodgers.
Now, as the 2026 season approaches, the 41-year-old right-hander finds himself back in free agency for the third time in five years. And while he may not be the dominant ace who once struck fear into every lineup in the league, Scherzer still believes he’s got something left in the tank - under the right circumstances.
In a recent conversation with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Scherzer made it clear: he’s healthy, he’s ready, and he’s open to signing - but only if the fit is right. If that means waiting until after Opening Day, so be it.
The goal now isn’t about racking up regular-season innings. It’s about chasing one last shot at a ring.
Scherzer didn’t name names when it came to potential landing spots, but it’s not hard to read between the lines. At this stage of his career, it’s safe to assume he’s eyeing contenders - teams with legitimate postseason aspirations that could use a veteran arm with October experience and a Hall of Fame pedigree.
It’s a strategy we’ve seen before. Roger Clemens famously waited until May to sign with the Yankees during his final season, prioritizing fit and timing over a full season’s workload.
More recently, David Robertson took a similar route last year, waiting until midseason to join the Phillies. Both pitchers showed that even in the twilight of a career, there’s value in experience - especially when it comes with a postseason resume.
That’s the lens through which teams will view Scherzer. He’s no longer the guy who could dominate for 200 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA, but he doesn’t have to be. What he brings now is something more specialized: a potential midseason boost, a veteran presence, and a guy who knows how to pitch in big moments.
Scherzer’s 2025 campaign with Toronto was a mixed bag. Over 17 starts, he flashed glimpses of the old Max - the bulldog mentality, the wipeout slider, the fierce competitiveness.
But there were also signs of wear, understandable for a pitcher with nearly 3,000 innings under his belt. He finished the regular season with a 5.17 ERA and a 4.99 FIP - numbers that reflect both the inconsistencies and the grind of age.
Still, when October rolled around, Scherzer showed he could dial it up. Across three playoff starts against the Mariners and Dodgers, he posted a 3.77 ERA, giving the Jays valuable innings when it mattered most.
That kind of performance - steady, battle-tested, and playoff-ready - is exactly what could make Scherzer a valuable addition for the right team. And there’s no shortage of clubs that could use him.
Take the Brewers, for example. After trading Freddy Peralta, they’re light on veteran arms behind Brandon Woodruff. Scherzer could be a stabilizing force in that rotation, a mentor for a young staff, and a guy who knows how to navigate the postseason.
The Padres could also be a fit. With some flexibility in their rotation, adding Scherzer could allow them to shift JP Sears into more of a depth role and give their rotation a proven leader.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies are expected to open the season with Taijuan Walker and top prospect Andrew Painter in the rotation. Adding Scherzer could provide some insurance - and postseason experience - to a team that’s been knocking on the door in recent years.
Then there’s Detroit. The Tigers are reportedly in the market for a back-end starter, and a reunion with Scherzer - who won his first Cy Young with the club - would be a full-circle moment. While the fit would be more sentimental than strategic, it’s not out of the question if the Tigers believe they’re ready to contend.
Other teams like the Marlins and Athletics might also have interest, but those clubs may not be far enough along in their competitive windows to appeal to Scherzer, who’s clearly focused on winning now.
Ultimately, Max Scherzer knows exactly what he wants at this point in his career: one more shot at a title, one more October run, one more chance to leave it all on the mound. He’s not chasing innings or paychecks - he’s chasing legacy. And for the right team, at the right time, that could be a game-changing addition.