Max Scherzer Signs One-Year Deal with Toronto Blue Jays for 2025 Season
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Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $15.5 million with the Toronto Blue Jays, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The acquisition comes as Scherzer seeks to rebound from a challenging previous season, which marked one of the toughest periods in his storied career. At the age of 40, Scherzer's 2024 performance was notably hindered by a series of injuries, starting with offseason surgery to address a herniated disc followed by nerve issues in his right arm, which delayed his season debut until mid-June. Additionally, he faced a setback in August due to right shoulder fatigue. Ultimately, he appeared in only 43.1 innings, earning a 2-4 record, a 3.95 ERA, and a 4.18 FIP.
Despite the struggles of the previous season, Scherzer's impressive accolades, including being an eight-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion, have solidified his status as a likely Hall of Fame inductee, possibly on the first ballot. In discussion with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News in August, Scherzer expressed a desire to continue his career, stating, 'When I'm out there, I've been able to compete. I can still pitch at a high level.' He also remarked on the improvement of his slider, which he had aimed to refine before the season, highlighting his ongoing commitment to performing at a high level.
Advanced statistics from the 2024 season reveal the depth of Scherzer's challenges, as his .248 expected batting average and .408 expected slugging percentage were among the highest since 2015, coupled with a career-low strikeout rate of 22.6 percent. The average velocity of his four-seam fastball also dipped to 92.5 mph. However, these statistics come with significant context, including his disrupted offseason preparation and the limited number of innings pitched before further injury complications arose. Historically, Scherzer has not demonstrated a consistent pattern of injuries, having thrown at least 140 innings every year from 2009 to 2023, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Blue Jays’ decision to sign him has drawn some attention, particularly given the club’s recent struggles, including an 88-loss season in 2024 and a lack of substantial roster upgrades after unsuccessful pursuits of key players. Notably, this forthcoming season could represent one of the final opportunities for Toronto to compete for a playoff spot before marquee players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette enter free agency next year. Thus, signing Scherzer may be a strategic move for the Blue Jays as they navigate the complexities of team building and immediate competitive hopes.
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