Jon Heyman: Max Scherzer 'most likely going to Blue Jays'
MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post appeared on MLB Metworks Hot Stove and predicted that future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Heyman revealed that Scherzer recently had a Zoom meeting with Toronto, and that he was his typical frank self when outlining what it would take for him to go there.
The Blue Jays have Scherzer on their radar, because Toronto is looking for rotation help and because Scherzer has some intriguing buy-low potential given his lengthy resume.
2024 was perhaps the least-noteworthy of Scherzer's 17 MLB seasons, as he pitched a career-low 43 1/3 innings.
Scherzer underwent back surgery last offseason and was expected to miss at least a bit of time at the start of the 2024 campaign while recovering, but subsequent issues with nerve irritation in his triceps, shoulder fatigue, and a hamstring strain resulted in what was pretty close to a lost season for both Scherzer and the Rangers as a whole.
While the right-hander has generally been quite durable over his long career, it also wouldn't be a surprise if the long grind of 2878 big league innings has finally caught up to Scherzer now that he has passed his 40th birthday.
Injuries notwithstanding, Scherzer was still able to post a respectable 3.95 ERA last season.
His walk and chase rates were both excellent in his small sample size of 43 1/3 frames, though that great chase rate manifested itself into only a modest 22.6% strikeout rate.
The eight-time All-Star has three Cy Young Awards under his belt - not to mention his five other top-five finishes - with a 3.16 ERA, 1.078 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Scherzer also had a 3.77 ERA over 152 2/3 innings with the Mets and Rangers in 2023, which could be a better reflection of what might be reasonably expected from a healthy Scherzer at this late stage in his career - a solid mid-rotation starter who can still dial up some of his old magic every once in a while.
If the Blue Jays are unable to sway Scherzer, Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta remain available.
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