Max Scherzer is set to make a return with the Toronto Blue Jays for the upcoming 2026 season. The team has secured the veteran pitcher through a one-year agreement worth a base salary of $3 million, with potential earnings of up to $10 million available through performance incentives.
Details of the Agreement
Reports indicate that discussions between the Blue Jays and Scherzer intensified recently, leading to this new contract. The agreement was confirmed by Jon Heyman from The New York Post and reported further by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Performance Overview
Last season, Scherzer made a significant impact on the team, pitching three times during the playoffs, including a crucial Game 7 in the World Series. During the postseason, he logged 14.1 innings with an impressive 11 strikeouts, maintaining a 3.77 ERA and a 1.256 WHIP. In the regular season, he pitched 85 innings, accumulating 82 strikeouts, with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP.
A Veteran Presence
As he approaches his 42nd birthday during the season, Scherzer will be the second-oldest active player in Major League Baseball, following Justin Verlander. Scherzer’s extensive career includes tenures with seven different franchises, notably the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Career Achievements
- Eight-time All-Star
- 3,489 career strikeouts (11th all-time in MLB history)
- Two-time World Series champion
Boosting the Blue Jays’ Rotation
Scherzer’s signing enhances the strength of the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. He will join a talented rotation that includes returning pitchers Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Eric Lauer, along with Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce.
