The Toronto Blue Jays kept their January momentum rolling Thursday with another big-name signing.
Already this month, the Blue Jays had added two 2024 All-Stars in relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman and outfielder Anthony Santander. Now, they’re adding a pitcher who hasn’t been an All-Star since 2021, but has eight total appearances in his incredible career.
The Blue Jays had room for perhaps one more starting pitcher in their projected rotation. Well how about a future Hall of Famer: the three-time Cy Young Award-winning right-hander Max Scherzer?
According to multiple reports, Scherzer and the Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, $15.5 million contract and will join the starting rotation.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report the news of the signing, while ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the contract figures.
Scherzer, who will almost certainly be in the Hall of Fame one day, turns 41 in July. He was limited to nine appearances last season while dealing with back, shoulder, and hamstring injuries. But he could very well still have something left in the tank.
When healthy, Scherzer pitched to a 3.95 ERA last season in 43 1/3 innings pitched. The year before, he had a 3.77 mark in 152 2/3 innings while helping the Texas Rangers win their first-ever World Series.
Bringing a legend like Scherzer into the building can have positive effects on the rest of the pitching staff, too. In 17 years in the big leagues, Scherzer has built a wealth of knowledge that others can surely benefit from.
Though it’s a bridge too far to start calling the Blue Jays American League East favorites, there’s no doubt that their moves this month have greatly raised the ceiling on their 2025 season.
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