Blue Jays to Sign Max Scherzer to One-Year Contract

The 40-year-old veteran is joining his seventh team in his 18th MLB season.
Scherzer logged a 3.95 ERA in nine starts for the Rangers last year.
Scherzer logged a 3.95 ERA in nine starts for the Rangers last year. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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The Toronto Blue Jays have added a veteran ace to their starting rotation.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Thursday that the Blue Jays are signing right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year deal worth $15.5 million.

At 40 years old, Scherzer was one of the top remaining starting pitchers available in free agency.

Scherzer battled injuries all season long with the Texas Rangers in 2024. He underwent back surgery in the offseason, worked through a thumb issue and returned to the mound in June before a shoulder injury sidelined him again. In all, Scherzer logged a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts in nine starts for the Rangers.

Over 17 seasons, Scherzer has logged a 216–112 record with a 3.16 ERA while winning three Cy Young awards, two World Series titles and earning eight All-Star nods. He has proven to be durable in the later years of his career, making 30, 23 and 27 starts the three years prior to '24 before he ran into injury issues.

Scherzer now bolsters a talented rotation in Toronto, joining Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis. The Blue Jays' rotation was in the middle of pack last year, registering a 3.95 ERA, which ranked 14th in baseball.

Toronto has been in the mix to sign just about every notable MLB free agent this offseason, including Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Now, the Blue Jays finally landed one of their targets as they look to rebound from a disappointing 74–88 season.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.