Source confirms: Free-agent RHP Max Scherzer in agreement with Blue Jays on one-year, $3M contract. Deal includes $10M in incentives that start at 65 innings pitched and no-trade protection. First: @JonHeyman and @ShiDavidi.
Making sense of how Max Scherzer fits on the 2026 Blue Jays
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
By Ben Wrixon
Feb 26, 2026, 12:07 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly agreed to a new one-year contract with Max Scherzer late Wednesday night, finally reuniting with the 41-year-old after weeks of rumours.
Everyone knows exactly what they are getting with Mad Max: a Future Hall of Famer with a fiery personality. He proved he’s still got it during the 2025 playoffs, and remains a one-of-a-kind clubhouse leader. It’s obvious why the Blue Jays wanted him back — what’s less clear is how he fits on a roster loaded with starting pitching options.
This question isn’t likely to be answered on Opening Day. The Blue Jays are expected to have Scherzer ramp back up into game shape slowly with eyes on a debut later in the season, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith. This makes sense given his age and injury history, especially coming off an extended postseason run.
The old baseball cliché of these things sorting themselves out could end up being true. An injury could open up a rotation spot for Scherzer once he’s ready. Maybe Shane Bieber will need more rest. But what if things aren’t that straightforward?
By the time May rolls around, the Blue Jays could have Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Cody Ponce, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, Bieber, and Scherzer all jockeying for rotation spots. That group could also include Eric Lauer, who is likely to start the season as the team’s long reliever despite making his preference for starting known. Even going to a six-man rotation won’t solve this.
Someone will need to go to the bullpen — and someone may wind up getting traded.
The Blue Jays could shift Berríos to a relief role if he doesn’t bounce back once Scherzer is ready, assuming they can’t find anyone to take him off their hands. However, it’s fair to wonder how that decision might go over given the awkward situation that transpired at the end of last season.
The Blue Jays could instead shift Yesavage to the bullpen to manage his innings, but limiting his opportunities to contribute would probably be unwise. He showed how good he can be; they’ll need him starting every fifth day to compete in the loaded AL East.
Ponce certainly has the stuff to thrive as a reliever, yet the Blue Jays’ brass has repeatedly said they consider him a starter. They probably promised him a rotation spot when they signed him; he won’t be relegated to the bullpen unless he really struggles.
Another option is trading Lauer somewhere he can start full-time. The Blue Jays may ultimately want to do right by him, given how such an opportunity could benefit him in free agency at season’s end. A trade would then necessitate someone moving to the bullpen to become the long reliever—probably Berríos—and thus open up a rotation spot for Scherzer when he is ready.
None of this is straightforward. However, these are the kinds of roster dilemmas that good teams are supposed to have. The Los Angeles Dodgers enter every season with too many starting pitchers, then end up throwing bullpen games in the playoffs en route to winning the World Series. Having too many quality options is always a good thing, even if it makes people uncomfortable.
The Blue Jays are a better team with Max Scherzer back in the fold, and that’s what matters most—there will be enough innings to go around when it’s all said and done.
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