Report: Blue Jays re-sign Max Scherzer to incentive-focused deal

Mad Max is back for another kick at the can.

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year, incentive-laden deal for 41-year-old Max Scherzer, according to multiple reports.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Mad Max

Scherzer’s deal is for $3 million with $10 million in performance bonuses. The three-time Cy Young winner originally joined the Blue Jays in 2025 on a one-year, $15.5 million contract.

Scherzer finished with a 5-5 record over 17 starts last year, his 18th season in the majors. Over 85.0 innings pitched, he posted a 5.19 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 32 walks.

A two-time World Series winner, Scherzer was at his best in the playoffs in 2025. He recorded the win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series over 5.2 innings and he also pitched 4.1 innings of one-run ball in Game 7 of the World Series.

“There’s no way that was my last pitch,” Scherzer said after Toronto’s heart-breaking loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Selected 11th overall in the 2006 MLB amateur draft, Scherzer has made 483 appearances (474 starts) for the Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Dodgers, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Scherzer has a career record of 221-117 with a 3.22 ERA over 2,963.0 innings pitched. His 3,489 strikeouts ranks 11th all-time and second-most among active pitchers, behind only Detroit’s Justin Verlander (3,553).

Toronto Blue Jays

Scherzer joins a crowded starting rotation for the Blue Jays, which includes Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, Cody Ponce and Shane Bieber.

That stacked rotation gives Toronto time to allow Scherzer to ramp up, so he likely won’t pitch until well after Opening Day.

The Blue Jays open their 50th season on March 26 at home against the Athletics.

The off-season additions of Cease, Ponce and Kazuma Okamoto have vaulted Toronto to +1300 to win the World Series, tied with the Mariners for the third-shortest odds behind only the Yankees (+1000) and Dodgers (+225).

The Blue Jays are also +260 to win the AL East again and +600 to repeat as American League champions.