Max Scherzer Sends Trade Message After Blue Jays Loss

Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Max Scherzer Sends Trade Message After Blue Jays Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tate Mosher | Last updated Aug 2, 2026 8:06 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays fell to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, 5-1. Max Scherzer started the game for Toronto, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out five and walking only one.

It was Scherzer’s best start in what has been a rough season for the 42-year-old. In eight starts, he has thrown 30 ⅔ innings, going 1-4 with a 7.92 ERA. He has struck out 23 and walked 15.

Sunday’s game was tied 1-1 entering the ninth inning, where the Cardinals hung four runs on All-Star closer Louis Varland. The contest was a microcosm for the Blue Jays’ season as a whole, as the offense wasted another solid starting pitching performance.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31)Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

This season, the club has featured one of MLB’s worst offenses in many important statistical categories. Their 107 home runs rank 23rd, .305 on-base percentage ranks 28th and .685 OPS ranks 28th as well.

While their pitching and team defense has been serviceable, it has not seemed to matter for a Toronto team that is 52-60. They are last place in the American League East and 13 ½ games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.

After Sunday’s game, Scherzer spoke to the media about his thoughts on the trade deadline. Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reported his quotes, where the pitcher reiterated that if the team does sell it is wholly on the players.

Max Scherzer reiterated that if the #BlueJays do sell, it's on them as players, but added:

"If they don’t sell, great. We’re getting 40,000 fans a night. We want to go out there and play. We’re only a few games out of the Wild Card and anything can happen. We're a good team."
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 2, 2026

Scherzer also said that he believes the team is good enough to compete in a weak American League. While their division hopes seem to be on the ropes in a competitive AL East, they are only four and a half games out of the last Wild Card spot.

The Blue Jays are reportedly open to trading some fan-favorites in outfielder George Springer and right-handed starter Kevin Gausman. Both are on expiring contracts and have been with the team for several years.

The MLB trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Toronto’s next game will begin after the deadline, Monday at 8:10 p.m. ET against the Houston Astros in Daikin Park.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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