Blue Jays in "More Serious" Talks With Max Scherzer

[Bryan Jaeger]

Max Scherzer has had an exceptional 18-year career, which includes three Cy Young Awards. However, his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays didn't live up to Mad Max's standards. He suffered a career-worst ERA (5.19) and his second-worst WHIP (1.29), and an injury was an issue. The 41-year-old made one start last season before going on the 60-day injury list with right thumb inflammation. 

Scherzer would return in late June, but he just wasn't his usual self. His up-and-down performance could have been due to the thumb injury or simply to the fact that he was 40. Despite the struggles, he still looked like his fiery self at times, including in a World Series Game 7 start, in which he threw 4 1/3 innings of one-run baseball against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

News regarding Scherzer has been limited this offseason, as expected for a player of his age, but things may be heating up. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet has reported, "The Blue Jays' talks with Max Scherzer have gotten more serious in the last week." This comes a day after the news that Shane Bieber, who will start the season on the injured list, is hoping to begin throwing off a mound in the next week or two. 

The Blue Jays have a loaded starting rotation, even with Bieber not throwing yet. Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, and Cody Ponce currently form their starting five, with Eric Lauer available as depth. So, it will be interesting to see how the rotation works out if Scherzer is added. Will Ponce get moved to the bullpen, or will Berríos be traded? There are many different ways the Blue Jays could utilize Scherzer.

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[G-Snarls]

OK what's the likely bullpen complement right now?

[Joltin Joe]

You want to go into the season with 7 starters

[Brownie19]

38 minutes ago, Joltin Joe said:

You want to go into the season with 7 starters

We already have 7 starters.

[jaysblue]

12 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

We already have 7 starters.

Let's make it 8 haha. 

[Joltin Joe]

On 2/20/2026 at 11:05 PM, Brownie19 said:

We already have 7 starters.

Not anymore With Bieber down