Blue Jays urged to part ways with potential ‘bust’ in free agency

Despite an improved postseason, the Toronto Blue Jays should not seek a reunion with one of their pitchers this offseason.

The Blue Jays nearly won their first World Series title since 1993, but were narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a shaky regular season, Blue Jays hurler Max Scherzer bounced back in the playoffs. Scherzer threw 4 1/3 in Game 7 of the World Series and almost led Toronto to victory, but at 41 years old, can he still make an impact next season?

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly urged the Blue Jays to part ways with Scherzer this offseason, dubbing him the free agent with the highest potential to be a bust this offseason.

“Man, it was cool watching Max Scherzer turn back the clock in the postseason and take down meaningful innings for a Toronto Blue Jays team that nearly won the World Series,” Kelly wrote Saturday. “That doesn’t mean, however, that he’s a wise bet moving forward. He’ll turn 42 in the middle of next season, and while he was once one of the game’s elite workhorses, Scherzer has logged a total of 128.1 innings over the past two seasons.

“When the three-time Cy Young Award winner is one day inducted into the Hall of Fame, Blue Jays fans will be able to claim him as having had some really special postseason moments for their team. But the reality is that before the playoffs, his time north of the border was viewed as a disaster. Whoever signs him for 2026 is much more likely to get that version of him.”

Before the playoffs, Scherzer struggled, going 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts. Scherzer is one of the greats and is a future Hall of Famer. But after an illustrious career that included three Cy Young Awards, eight All-Star selections and a two-time World Series champion, the 41-year-old is past his prime and likely not worth the price tag to bring back to Toronto.

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