Max Scherzer Joins Blue Jays After Missing Out on Roki Sasaki, Praises Toronto’s Pitching Staff

The Toronto Blue Jays fell short in the pursuit of Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki, who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, they quickly responded by making a major addition to their rotation, signing veteran ace and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer to a one-year, $15.5 million contract.

Scherzer’s decision to head to Toronto sent shockwaves through the baseball world. Following the Blue Jays’ disappointing 74-88 season, the three-time Cy Young winner made headlines with his optimistic outlook on the team’s pitching staff, signaling confidence in the club’s ability to bounce back in 2025.

Max Scherzer Praises Blue Jays’ Rotation, but Fans Remain Skeptical

Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer emphasized the importance of a strong starting rotation as the key to a team’s success, highlighting Toronto’s group of arms as a solid foundation.

“The backbone of any team is always the starting rotation,” Scherzer, 40, told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “It doesn’t matter how much offense you’ve got. If you don’t have a strong starting staff, you’re always going to be in trouble.”

Scherzer expressed confidence in the Blue Jays’ current rotation, citing Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, José Berríos, and up-and-comer Bowden Francis as key contributors.

The Blue Jays posted part of Scherzer’s comments on their official Instagram account, but instead of excitement, the reaction was met with skepticism. Many fans voiced concerns about the team’s overall competitiveness, reflecting lingering doubts following last season’s disappointing 74-88 finish.