Blue Jays strengthen rotation by bringing back Max Scherzer 

After falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays moved quickly to reshape their roster for another run in 2026.

A top priority was fortifying the starting rotation, and they’ve done just that by bringing back three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

According to the Associated Press on Thursday, the eight-time All-Star and Toronto agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal. The contract includes incentives that could push the total value to $10 million if Scherzer reaches at least 65 innings pitched, and it also contains no-trade protection, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. 

Max Scherzer should aid Blue Jays' chances to win the World Series

Scherzer, 41, will be entering his 19th season in Major League Baseball. He was part of the Blue Jays' 2025 American League title run, going 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and striking out 82 in 85 innings. In the World Series, he had a 4.15 ERA in two starts. 

Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer, started Game 7 against Los Angeles, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing four hits and one earned run. He has a 221-117 record and a 3.22 ERA in 18 big-league seasons. 

The Blue Jays had an average starting rotation in 2025 (20th, 4.34 ERA). However, Toronto could have one of the better rotations in baseball in 2026, with Scherzer joining two-time All-Star Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, 2020 Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and second-year standout Trey Yesavage. 

Right-handers Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce and left-hander Eric Lauer fill out the rotation. The Blue Jays signed Ponce, the Korea Baseball Organization MVP in 2025, to a three-year, $30 million contract.