Three-time Cy Young Award recipient Max Scherzer has officially signed a one-year contract worth $15.5 million with the Toronto Blue Jays. This announcement was made on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in Scherzer’s storied career as he joins a new team at the age of 40.
Last season, Scherzer’s performance with the Texas Rangers was limited to just nine starts, resulting in a record of 2-4 and a 3.95 earned run average (ERA). His season was hampered by injuries; he started the year on the injured list following lower back surgery and later spent time on the IL due to shoulder fatigue from early August until mid-September. He didn’t return to action after September 14 due to a strain in his left hamstring.
Scherzer will be part of a starting rotation for the Blue Jays that is expected to include notable pitchers like Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt. Additionally, the Blue Jays have promising talent in Bowden Francis, who had an impressive debut season, and Yariel Rodríguez, who signed a significant five-year deal worth $32 million earlier in February.
The Blue Jays had a challenging season, finishing last in the American League East with a record of 74-88. They have not achieved playoff success since being knocked out by Cleveland in the 2016 American League Championship Series, and they suffered first-round exits in the wild-card round in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
The addition of Scherzer to Toronto’s roster marks their second major offseason move, following an agreement with outfielder Anthony Santander on a five-year contract valued at $92.5 million that was finalized on January 20.
Previously, Scherzer became a free agent after completing a lucrative three-year contract worth $130 million with the New York Mets, which began in November 2021. However, he was traded to the Texas Rangers in July 2023 after a season with the Mets.
Scherzer is a two-time World Series champion, winning titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. His career highlights include winning his first Cy Young Award in 2013 while with the Detroit Tigers, accumulating an impressive record of 21-3 and a 2.90 ERA across 32 starts. He added consecutive NL Cy Young Awards to his résumé during his time with Washington in 2016 and 2017.
Over the course of 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, Scherzer has achieved a record of 216 wins and 112 losses, with a career ERA of 3.16 over 466 games, including 457 starts. He has recorded an impressive 3,407 strikeouts across 2,878 innings pitched and ranks second among active pitchers in strikeouts, wins, and innings pitched, only behind former teammate Justin Verlander in these statistical categories.
In a move to accommodate Scherzer on their roster, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Michael Petersen for assignment, thus opening up a spot for the veteran pitcher.
