Blue Jays’ ‘all-in position’ helped land Max Scherzer
As the Toronto Blue Jays recruited Max Scherzer this off-season, they had to prove to the three-time Cy Young winner that winning was a priority in 2025.
As the Toronto Blue Jays recruited Max Scherzer this off-season, they had to prove to the three-time Cy Young winner that winning was a priority in 2025.
Entering his 18th big-league season, Scherzer — already a two-time World Series champion — had specific boxes potential suitors needed to check to spark conversations. But it was Toronto’s commitment to returning to the post-season that helped it emerge in the sweepstakes for the 40-year-old’s services.
“The way the market shook out, Toronto became a really good fit for me. Had some conversations with the front office and wanted to really know: What’s the direction of the team? How do you view 2025?” Scherzer explained Monday on the Foul Territory Podcast. “They came back and said, ‘Hey, we’re in an all-in position. We’re going for it.’ So that was kind of music for my ears.
“When they went out there and signed (Anthony) Santander, they showed the commitment they they’re serious about this year and became an option for me.”
Scherzer also said staying closer to his family on the East Coast was a priority in his negotiations.
Now firmly a part of the Blue Jays’ rotation, the eight-time All-Star is focused on returning to full health after being limited by injuries a season ago with the Texas Rangers.
“The No. 1 concern you have to have about me is the back, but I’ve been doing very good with that and (I’m) physically feeling great because of it … ,” Scherzer said. “As long as that part is good, I should be going out there and making my starts. If I’m healthy, going out there, I feel like I can still pitch at a very high level.”
Through two starts this spring with Toronto, Scherzer has struck out eight over 5.2 innings while allowing two hits and two runs.
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By landing Scherzer, the Blue Jays hope to get contributions from the future Hall of Famer, both on and off the field. Long known as one of the most progressive pitchers of his era, there isn’t much Scherzer hasn’t seen or done on a baseball field or in the business of baseball.
One of the off-field experiences that Scherzer was asked about Monday was the end of his tenure with the Detroit Tigers, as he entered free agency one year removed from winning his first Cy Young Award. He turned down a contract extension from the Tigers, betting on himself to land a seven-year, $210-million deal from the Washington Nationals in January 2015.
Of course, Toronto has two franchise cornerstones in a similar position, with Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set to hit free agency at the end of 2025.
So what advice would Scherzer give the two young Blue Jays?
“Right now, this is a really tough time. Your walk year, it’s a tough year. Nobody else understands these challenges when you’re in this position,” Scherzer said. “But the only way to get through it, is when you walk through those doors, are you here to win or not? Are you here for a contract? Are you here to just to win?
“If you just show up and play baseball, you’re here to win, be a good teammate, everything takes care of itself. Don’t worry about anything else. It all just works. Be yourself, go out there and compete as hard as you can.”
