Sadness overwhelmed Max Scherzer after he exited the seventh and decisive game of the 2025 World Series, which was ultimately lost by a two-run margin. He had worked 4 1/3 innings on the mound, but unfortunately, his reliever was unable to preserve the lead.
With that late twist in the game, just when the Blue Jays appeared poised to add another championship banner to their rafters, the night instead ended with tearful faces filling the stands at Rogers Stadium.
After that crushing defeat, there was no alternative but to lift his head, process the pain, and move forward, hoping the coming months of the offseason would be as constructive as possible.
For Scherzer, it was also essential to evaluate whether he would return for the 2026 season in pursuit of another Fall Classic. In the end, that decision has reached a favorable conclusion. The veteran right-hander has signed a new contract to remain with Toronto.
Max Scherzer’s new multimillion-dollar contract
Everyone within the Canadian club had hoped their pitcher would come back to anchor the rotation and make another deep run toward a championship, this time aiming to return in consecutive seasons.
It was subsequently revealed that the pitcher signed a $3 million deal, with the possibility of earning up to $10 million through incentives.
There is, however, a substantial difference for the 41-year-old veteran this time around. In the upcoming season, he will not shoulder as much responsibility in his outings, largely because the team has assembled a formidable rotation that will allow him some breathing room.
Whenever the club needs him, he will be well supported in the preceding games, as the Blue Jays have added Cody Ponce and Dylan Cease, both of whom possess powerful and reliable arms for the staff.
Scherzer’s numbers during 2025 were:
- 17 starts
- 85 innings pitched
- 5-5 record
- 5.19 ERA
- 3 postseason starts
His leadership remains an important factor in considering him a key piece of the Blue Jays as they look ahead to the 2026 campaign.
Spring training games are already underway, and teams are fine-tuning their rosters to arrive in peak form for the championship chase. The call of “play ball” will come next Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with the season opener between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Giants at Oracle Park.
The following day, Thursday, March 26, will feature the traditional Opening Day, highlighted by a 14-game slate:
- Arizona Diamondbacks at LA Dodgers
- Pittsburgh Pirates at NY Mets
- Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs
- Colorado Rockies at Miami Marlins
- Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles
- LA Angels at Houston Astros
- Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres
- Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners
- Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays
- Chicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers
- Boston Red Sox at Cincinnati Reds
- Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies
- Tampa Bay Rays at St. Louis Cardinals
- Kansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves
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