Free-agent pitcher Max Scherzer knows that the end of the road is coming. That does not mean he is ready to take the exit ramp just yet.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Scherzer said that he is healthy and ready to sign if the right opportunity comes calling. Scherzer also stated that he would be willing to sign after Opening Day if a team was interested after the season began.
Although Scherzer had moments where he was able to turn back the clock for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, he also had outings where he looked as though he stuck around for a season too long. He posted a pedestrian 5.19 ERA and a 1.294 WHiP over his 85 innings. Scherzer still had strong strikeout and walk rates, striking out 82 batters with 23 walks, but he also allowed 19 homers and a .262/.313/.497 batting line in 358 plate appearances against him.
Max Scherzer could help a team in the right situation
A horrendous six-start stretch to end the season skewed Scherzer’s final numbers. He allowed 25 runs on 37 hits, including eight home runs, and eight walks over his final 25 innings. Scherzer was left off the ALDS roster, and it was fair to wonder if he had anything left in the tank.
He changed that narrative during the postseason. Although he was not dominant, Scherzer allowed six runs on 12 hits and six walks over 14.1 innings, striking out 11 batters. He was the Blue Jays starter in Game Seven of the World Series, allowing just one run in his 4.1 innings.
There is precedent for a pitcher signing later in the year to help a pennant drive. Reliever David Robertson signed after the All-Star Break in 2025 to bolster the Phillies’ bullpen. Starter Rich Hill signed during the season in 2024 and 2025. The most infamous in-season signing may have been Roger Clemens in 2007, when he announced his return during a game on May 6, much to Yankees announcer Suzyn Waldman’s delight. Scherzer may still have something left if he can find the right opportunity.