The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with veteran right-hander Max Scherzer on a one-year deal, as first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post and confirmed across multiple sources, including MLB.com, Sportsnet, ESPN, and Ken Rosenthal.
The contract is a $3 million base salary with up to $10 million in performance incentives (tied to innings pitched, starting around 65 IP, plus no-trade protection).
This brings the three-time Cy Young winner back for his 19th MLB season and a second stint in Toronto after he joined mid-2025. Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA in 17 regular-season starts (limited by injuries), but delivered key postseason work—including a win in World Series Game 1 and a strong Game 7 no-decision against the Dodgers (who ultimately won the title).
His 8-year-old daughter wrote a letter to the Blue Jays after the season, saying she was sorry the Blue Jays didn’t win but hoping her dad would be back with the team. They love Toronto, and Scherzer is reportedly bought in on what this team has the capability of doing.
How much Scherzer will play a role next season isn’t clear. However, at 41 (turning 42 soon), it could be flexible: building back toward the rotation as a starter, with potential spot starts or long relief early in 2026.
The Jays’ rotation is already deep (post-signings like Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce), so this low-risk, high-upside move prioritizes his veteran leadership, intensity, and playoff pedigree. Just having him around the team is a win.
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