One of baseball’s most accomplished right-handers, Max Scherzer, could soon find himself a new home. As the offseason winds down, the Toronto Blue Jays emerge as a compelling destination for the veteran. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman delves into why the Blue Jays might be an ideal fit, examining how Scherzer’s experience, competitive edge and proven track record could bolster their rotation to stay afloat in the highly competitive American League East.
“I think he basically told the ‘Look, I want to win – you guys won 74 games last year. Let’s see what the roster is before I decide what I wanna do,’” Heyman said. “I don’t think it’s the millions that are gonna decide what he wants to do, he wants to go to a winner. If they sign [Pete] Alonso, that’s a pretty good middle-of-the-order. I think they underachieved at 74 wins, anyway, and they certainly are a contender. So I think Toronto is probably the most likely team for Scherzer at this point.”
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Despite losing out on Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki, the Blue Jays signed right-hander Jeff Hoffman and outfielder Anthony Santander. Rumors connecting the Blue Jays to Scherzer first surfaced via Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, fueling speculation about a significant addition to their roster.
Blue Jays ‘Most Likely’ Destination for Max Scherzer
It’s possible that Scott Boras could be pitching a dual package of Scherzer and Alonso to teams this offseason. While Heyman doesn’t explicitly state this, the mention of Alonso’s potential impact on a team like Toronto hints at the idea. Alonso’s presence in the middle of the lineup would undoubtedly strengthen a contender, which aligns with Scherzer’s reported desire to join a team built to win.
The Blue Jays maintain interest in the future Hall of Famer, who would fill a key role in their rotation. Behind Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Bowden Francis, and Chris Bassitt, they have limited depth following Tommy John surgery for Alek Manoah and top prospect Ricky Tiedemann. Scherzer offers an intriguing “buy-low” option, thanks to his resume and potential upside.
However, Scherzer’s 2024 season raises questions. Playing in just nine games with the Texas Rangers, he threw a career-low 43 1/3 innings after undergoing back surgery. A series of injuries—including nerve irritation in his triceps, shoulder fatigue, and a hamstring strain—further limited his performance. Still, Scherzer managed a 3.94 ERA and a 22.6% strikeout rate, underscoring his ability to contribute when healthy.
Even with his age and recent injury history, Scherzer is focused on joining a contending team if he has options available. The Blue Jays’ interest aligns with his ambitions, making Toronto a logical and interesting destination for one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers.
Main Photo: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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