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4 teams that could sign Max Scherzer this offseason
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Graeme Wallace
Jan 8, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 8, 2026, 11:44 EST
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Max Scherzer is coming off a memorable season with the Toronto Blue Jays that showed he’s still a capable starting pitcher, even though he’s not the ace he’s been for most of his career.
The Jays have already signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce and are likely out on adding any more starting pitchers. With the 41-year-old showing he still belongs in the majors, which teams are likely to add the future Hall of Famer?

St. Louis Cardinals

According to FanGraphs’ starting pitcher depth chart rankings, the Cardinals have the second-worst rotation in baseball, ahead of only the lowly Colorado Rockies (who just got a boost with Michael Lorenzen).
Currently, their starting five consists of Matthew Liberatore, Andre Pallante, Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, and Kyle Leahy. All of those pitchers had an ERA of four-plus last season, and none averaged a strikeout per inning. Recent years have been challenging for Cards’ followers, with an underperforming team and a parade of veterans leaving for other teams.
Adding Scherzer to this rotation would improve its depth, strikeout ability, and give fans at least one notable name to root for, even if the club seems like they are rebuilding. It might not be the team Scherzer wants to play for if he’s looking for another championship, but play well and get traded at the deadline seems like an option here. 

Athletics

In their first season playing in West Sacramento, the A’s improved their win total by seven from 2024, and crept closer to respectability with a 76-86 record. They also introduced a lineup of young hitters most MLB teams would love to have. Nick Kurtz slugged his way to the AL Rookie of the Year award, and Jacob Wilson was an All-Star. And they were supported by veteran masher Brent Rooker, catcher Shea Langeliers, and outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom.
As dangerous as the offense is, Scherzer would legitimize a rotation that has few proven arms beyond Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs and provide some balance and veteran presence in a clubhouse that could surprise many this upcoming season. 

San Francisco Giants

The Giants entered the offseason as one of the teams that most desperately needed to add to its rotation. They’ve done well in acquiring Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, but would feel better by adding at least one more proven veteran to their staff.
Justin Verlander is coming off a surprisingly effective campaign (3.85 ERA, 103 ERA+, 155 SO/152 IP) in his age-42 season, so there is precedent for the organization to sign a greybeard hurler. There has been some hot stove traction between Scherzer and the Bay Area, and if Scherzer wants a better chance at winning another ring, San Francisco is a potential option. 

San Diego Padres

The Padres were in a similar position as the Giants at the onset of the offseason, needing to add at least a couple of starting pitchers.
The situation didn’t improve (for them) when Dylan Cease departed in free agency and joined the Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million contract. The friars did re-sign Michael King, and still have Nick Pivetta, but Joe Musgrove is coming back from an elbow injury and may not be available at the start of the season. The rest of the projected rotation is shaky from there with Randy Vasquez and J.P. Sears. Scherzer would be a decorated and experienced addition to improve this starting five and this team would give the veteran hurler the best chance of winning another World Series amongst the other teams on this list.

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