Blue Jays Re-sign Scherzer

[Laika]

[max silver]

17 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

 

 

I do like this contract structure as it forces Max to earn his paycheck through health+effectiveness. If he repeats 2025's innings total he'll earn all of $6 million this time around.

[glory]

Transcribing Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory this morning:

"(Lauer) has talked about possibly being traded, or at least that would be his desire, if the Blue Jays could not create a spot for him in the rotation. Perhaps a trade of Lauer is coming now."

Not sure if this is Rosey's opinion or whether he's heard anything. I'd hold on to Lauer to avoid even a tiny chance that one of Lazaro Estrada or Adam Macko is starting regular season games for this team, but the Jays are clearly a "clubhouse vibes" org, so who knows. Maybe they view Angel Bastardo as a SP option and use him in long relief in that scenario. Kinda sucks for Lauer as he is one of 8 starters on the team, 1 of them is going to be in year 1 of his career, while the other six have gotten their money. If he's a long man then it limits whatever his earning ceiling is heading into free agency this winter (granted in a lockout). 

[G-Snarls]

The structure is ideal for this type of player at this point in his career 

Most guys just won't sign with that little guaranteed 

I love it 

[Dr. Dinger]

The Jays aren’t really in a position to trade Lauer just to do right by him, nor does he have appreciable trade value. His contract is a reflection of the leverage he had when he signed it. If he goes out there and dominates then he will force his way into the rotation. Sorry pal!

[ComeTogether]

Adding depth never hurts. 

[BTS]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Dinger said:

The Jays aren’t really in a position to trade Lauer just to do right by him, nor does he have appreciable trade value. His contract is a reflection of the leverage he had when he signed it. If he goes out there and dominates then he will force his way into the rotation. Sorry pal!

Yeah. Lauer is a 31-year old swingman who just pitched effectively, but still had a 4.15 xFIP. He'll earn his 4.4M doing whatever the team needs him to do and he'll keep his mouth shut about it. 

[mphenhef]

13 hours ago, Jays24 said:

We got our new closer baby.  Hes going on a Smoltz run now lol

Given his first inning splits last year, I'm not positive this would work out...although I will admit going in knowing you are only throwing 1 inning is completely different.  

 

[G-Snarls]

7 minutes ago, mphenhef said:

Given his first inning splits last year, I'm not positive this would work out...although I will admit going in knowing you are only throwing 1 inning is completely different.  

 

Right.  Can't discount the Mad Max effect adrenaline surge of coming out in the ninth in a close game.

Like you said, knowing you're coming in for one critical inning rather than starting the game knowing you're going to go four or five.

[BatFlip]

There are some remarkable stats gurus here, and I've learned a lot just from reading this forum over the years.  But forget the long ball and the declining stuff, I don't think this guy is going to get a ton of starts and I highly doubt we see him on a playoff roster.  

"Veteran presence" may be an overused and overrated call for aged superstars, but I believe culture matters.  You can't convince me that the Jays staff didn't have a bit more swagger last year from having the legendary Mad Max in their midst.   The team will benefit from his aura.

 

 

 

[Jays24]

1 hour ago, mphenhef said:

Given his first inning splits last year, I'm not positive this would work out...although I will admit going in knowing you are only throwing 1 inning is completely different.  

 

If he only had to air it out for 1 inning, his approach would obviously change.  Bassitt looked great in that role for the same reason. 

Most relievers are failed starters and what better failed starter than a guy who just recently proved he was a decent starter.  Then you add the optics of Mad Max scaring the hell out of folks for just 1 inning, theres a good possibility it could work.  

[Governator]

3 hours ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

 

 

That's adorable.

Daddy has made $390m+ in his career and is coming back for a paltry $3m for his daughter.

 

 

[Jays24]

7 hours ago, glory said:

Transcribing Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory this morning:

"(Lauer) has talked about possibly being traded, or at least that would be his desire, if the Blue Jays could not create a spot for him in the rotation. Perhaps a trade of Lauer is coming now."

Not sure if this is Rosey's opinion or whether he's heard anything. I'd hold on to Lauer to avoid even a tiny chance that one of Lazaro Estrada or Adam Macko is starting regular season games for this team, but the Jays are clearly a "clubhouse vibes" org, so who knows. Maybe they view Angel Bastardo as a SP option and use him in long relief in that scenario. Kinda sucks for Lauer as he is one of 8 starters on the team, 1 of them is going to be in year 1 of his career, while the other six have gotten their money. If he's a long man then it limits whatever his earning ceiling is heading into free agency this winter (granted in a lockout). 

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be traded and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

[max silver]

54 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be trading and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

People tend to laugh at what you say as a general rule so you should expect that as a default response by now. 

[glory]

3 hours ago, Dr. Dinger said:

The Jays aren’t really in a position to trade Lauer just to do right by him, nor does he have appreciable trade value. His contract is a reflection of the leverage he had when he signed it. If he goes out there and dominates then he will force his way into the rotation. Sorry pal!

Yeah only reason they'd trade him is to "do right by him" or if they think he'll be an issue in the clubhouse. They don't need to save money and they need as much SP depth as possible so he still fills a role. Only issue will be how they manage the roster spots once everyone is healthy, but you can't assume everyone will be healthy at the same time. 

[Stangstag]

4 hours ago, Dr. Dinger said:

The Jays aren’t really in a position to trade Lauer just to do right by him, nor does he have appreciable trade value. His contract is a reflection of the leverage he had when he signed it. If he goes out there and dominates then he will force his way into the rotation. Sorry pal!

Seems like he may have his panties in a bit of a bunch after losing his arbitration hearing. Wants out now?

[Brownie19]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be trading and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

I don't think that's true.  People laughed at the notion of Lauer requesting a trade.  Lauer is a f*cking nobody who will do what he's told to do.

From Lauer's perspective - I get it.  You worked hard to go overseas, refine your game and you came back and had some good success at the ML level again.  I'm sure he's desperate to put himself in a position to make some real $$$ because he hasn't so far in his ML career.  I suspect he'd happily go to the White Sox or Rockies right now to get the opportunity for 32 starts - given he's a FA next year.  He's certainly trying to put himself in a position to land a $20M - $30M deal in the offseason.

BUT - he just doesn't command that kind of leverage.  The Jays gave him a chance and he needs to respect the contract he signed.  He has a role on this team to fill.  I have no issue with him going to the FO and pleading that he'd like to go somewhere he can start, but unless the FO is feeling SUPER generous, I'm pretty sure they will tell him they need him and he isn't going anywhere.  He'll do what's asked of him.  If he doesn't - the league will know and that will kill his reputation.  He's a f*cking swing man - know your role son.

[Stangstag]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be trading and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

Certain PEOPLE will still find a way to claim you’re wrong 

[Laika]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be trading and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

Fact check 

People laughed at the notion of Lauer requesting a trade, which remains hilarious even if he did or does do it.

Nobody laughed at you for suggesting he might. Nobody cares. About you. 

[Spanky__99]

1 hour ago, Spanky__99 said:

lol... have you listened to the podcast, it's all conjecture from his colleague Mitch Bannon.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7064456/2026/02/23/eric-lauer-blue-jays-wants-start-arbitration-trade-flexibility/

Nice job spiking that football... 😅

Lauer should just shut the f*ck up and do his job.

 

2 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Well well well... people laughed at my notion of Lauer possibly wanting to be trading and yet here we are.  Ill begin accepting all apologies starting nooooowwww :) 

I'll just leave this here too... 🦤

Dude tries to spike the football and provide a dunk... 🖕🤡

GTFOH!

[Spanky__99]

35 minutes ago, Laika said:

Fact check 

People laughed at the notion of Lauer requesting a trade, which remains hilarious even if he did or does do it.

Nobody laughed at you for suggesting he might. Nobody cares. About you. 

[Spanky__99]

Also, Scherzer ain't closing, GTFOH with that nonsense too.

[Jays24]

2 hours ago, Laika said:

Fact check 

People laughed at the notion of Lauer requesting a trade, which remains hilarious even if he did or does do it.

Nobody laughed at you for suggesting he might. Nobody cares. About you. 

[Joltin Joe]

On 2/26/2026 at 1:27 AM, Jays24 said:

Way out pitchers are dropping going to need him. We've lost 4 since start of ST

[John_Havok]

20 hours ago, BTS said:

Yeah. Lauer is a 31-year old swingman who just pitched effectively, but still had a 4.15 xFIP. He'll earn his 4.4M doing whatever the team needs him to do and he'll keep his mouth shut about it. 

That would be ideal. I don't care if a player is unhappy about his role if it ends up being reduced from the previous year and he did well in that role. That's a completely normal feeling to have. 

What matters is whether he lets that feeling change how he competes. Players should all be aware that 29 other teams see how well you perform. He's going into free agency after this season. It makes all the sense in the world to shut-up, pitch his ass off and make himself the most desireable asset he can for 2027. 

[Chappy]

Who cares what Lauer thinks, Jays gave him a chance and he is still getting paid well this year and has an opportunity to build on it.  All he can do is shut up and work his ass off, lots of players would kill to be in his situation on a WS contender. 

[jaysblue]

Eric Lauer is better than Brian Tallet. 

[max silver]

35 minutes ago, Chappy said:

Who cares what Lauer thinks, Jays gave him a chance and he is still getting paid well this year and has an opportunity to build on it.  All he can do is shut up and work his ass off, lots of players would kill to be in his situation on a WS contender. 

The Blue Jays front office and coaching staff should probably care what Lauer thinks. I seriously doubt they would consider trading him unless he was becoming a major distraction but I expect there would be an attempt to at least smooth things over a bit.

[John_Havok]

6 minutes ago, max silver said:

The Blue Jays front office and coaching staff should probably care what Lauer thinks. I seriously doubt they would consider trading him unless he was becoming a major distraction but I expect there would be an attempt to at least smooth things over a bit.

Sure, they should care to the point where it might take away from the team's success like theyd care with any other player. 

At the same time, I do find it odd they would go to arb over a few hundred grand at this point when he's about to go into FA at the end of the year. It's not like that new number is going to make future arb deals more expensive since there are no more future arb deals. 

[max silver]

34 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Sure, they should care to the point where it might take away from the team's success like theyd care with any other player. 

At the same time, I do find it odd they would go to arb over a few hundred grand at this point when he's about to go into FA at the end of the year. It's not like that new number is going to make future arb deals more expensive since there are no more future arb deals. 

The two sides were $1.35 million apart. It's too bad neither side was willing to budge a bit as there was likely a middle ground available but alas that wasn't the case.