Free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer remains one of the most intriguing names on the MLB market.
A new update suggests he may be in no rush to sign before Opening Day.
Yahoo Sports noted that, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Scherzer told him in a phone conversation that he is healthy and ready to pitch immediately if the right opportunity arises.
However, if no preferred situation materializes, the veteran ace is comfortable waiting until after Opening Day or even into the season for a better fit to emerge.
Scherzer told Rosenthal:
“I’m content to wait until after Opening Day for an opening to emerge with one of my preferred clubs.”
That approach has fueled speculation about a possible reunion with the Toronto Blue Jays.
It also leaves the door open for contenders to circle back later in the year.
Alongside the Blue Jays, the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox are among the other teams that are interested.
Max Scherzer’s 2025 Season With the Blue Jays
Scherzer signed a one-year deal with Toronto ahead of the 2025 season, but injuries limited him to just 17 regular-season starts.
Across 85 innings, he posted a 5.19 ERA, allowing 87 hits and 19 home runs while striking out 82 batters.
While those numbers marked a career-worst ERA and reflected durability concerns, Toronto remains interested because of his competitiveness, leadership and experience.
Despite the regular season struggle, the postseason offered flashes of vintage Scherzer.
He made three playoff starts, including two appearances against the Dodgers in the World Series.
In 14.1 postseason innings, Scherzer recorded a 3.77 ERA, allowing six earned runs while striking out 11 hitters.
Most notably, he delivered 4.1 innings of one-run ball in Game 7.
That October performance reinforced the idea that Scherzer can still rise to the moment, especially in high-leverage settings.
With Toronto once again expecting to contend in 2026, Scherzer’s willingness to wait beyond Opening Day could align with the Blue Jays long-term goals.
A Hall of Fame Career Nearing Its Final Chapter
Regardless of where he pitches next, Scherzer’s legacy is already secure.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner is widely viewed as a lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He will most likely be grouped alongside fellow modern-era greats like Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw.
Over his career, Scherzer has surpassed 3,400 strikeouts and won two World Series.
He also posted elite WAR totals that place him among the most dominant starters in baseball history.
Analysts frequently point to his “otherworldly” prime from 2013-2021.
This includes a stretch that cemented his reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of the 2000s era.
Barring an unexpected delay, Scherzer is expected to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot in the early 2030s.
For now, it remains to be seen if Scherzer will be back on the diamond in 2026.
But he’s made it clear that he is comfortable letting the market come to him, waiting for a situation that feels right.
From a Blue Jays perspective, if Scherzer remains unsigned by Opening Day, he will definitely be a name to monitor throughout the season.
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