Just when fans thought that the spending might be over in Toronto, out of left field the team picks up a future hall of famer to add to the starting rotation. That’s right the Jays signed Max Scherzer to a one-year $15.5 million contract, adding to already one of the most potent and formidable pitching rotations in baseball. Scherzer is coming off a year where he didn’t pitch much due to injury, only appearing in nine games for the Rangers in 2024. In those nine games he didn’t quite live up to the hype of his name, posting a near 4 ERA bu still managed to keep his WHIP respectably low at 1.15. Still being able to pitch at a quality level at 39 (now 40) years old almost seems like a gimmick act for the Jays to have on their team, but in reality I believe this signing could end up being a wildcard for the Jays that could possibly bring much success if things turn out right.

This contract is completely risk free in terms that the one-year term ensures that if something were to happen to Scherzer over the course of the season like another injury, and he’s forced to miss extended time again, the novelty of having him on IR the whole year won’t come back to bite them once the season ends since Scherzer will once again become a free agent. If Scherzer also decided to retire after this season, it wouldn’t determent the Jays once again because his contract will be up and the team won’t owe him a thing after that. There is really only upside in this deal, assuming Scherzer returns to a slightly more familiar form to seasons’ past, he can bring a killer arm with serious strikeout potential every single outing. Realistically, a 40 year old Scherzer won’t jump any of Berrios, Gausman, or Bassitt in the rotation, most likely slotting mad max as the fourth starter and having a guy like Bowden Francis round out the starting five. Toronto had arguably a top five pitching rotation last year with Berrios, Gausman, and Bassitt alone, and adding a guy like Scherzer just adds even more to it.

The only question I feel like should be asked is how Scherzer’s personality and mentality going to mesh with the other guys in the clubhouse? He is a guy who certainly is known for being extreme and intense, and is able to go from zero to 100 real quick, I mean they don’t call him “mad max” for nothing. Bringing a guy like him into a team that has been historically called unserious and childish, could either ignite a new level of winning mentality and toughness into the group that has been much needed, or blow right up in their face. The chance of clubhouse problems are definitely real by bringing Scherzer in, but the hope is that he will settle in nicely to his new environment and be able to deliver his best stuff on the mound for the Blue Jays in 2025.