Max Scherzer has always been a cliche. Cliched about being extremely coachable and curious about what’s next. Sure, father Brad had the routine over-enthusiastic 2-year-old already waiting in the basement to play the moment he’d come home from work. But right from his Little League days, Brad would assist lil’ Max to put critical seeds into his mind. For instance, parents who would overinflate seeing their children’s accomplishments. Call it unhealthy obsession or being real short-sighted about the future, Brad called it all: “Have lofty goals but be realistic about the steps it will take to achieve them.”

What’s more realistic than dreaming big while staying close to family? We are talking about a 40-year-old starting pitcher entering his 18th MLB season. And although it’s easy to get carried away by the blue shimmer in one and the steely brown stare in the other one, for once, ‘Mad Max’ never didn’t really leave much to the fans’ imagination about why he signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with a team that finished last in the American League East in 2024, the Blue Jays.

There are many moving parts to this story. There is definitely an urgency to win for both parties. At 40 years of age, players think legacy, and with an aging Jays roster and the expiring contracts of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, both parties fit like jigsaw puzzle. We shouldn’t downplay the fact that the Blue Birds provided a familiar something to the ace: A reunion of sorts with former teammate Chris Bassitt and assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense, someone he’d known and played the NCAA ball with at the University of Missouri. “I’m not just playing to play. I’m playing to win,” Scherzer said Friday. “I really feel like Toronto offered that.” Well, that, yes, but Toronto only only gave him exactly that. In fact, a lot more! What more, you’d think? He just let us in on this in the latest episode of Foul Territory.

“Had some conversations with teams across the league, especially on the East Coast. My family being there at Jupiter. You know, really kind of wanted to stay on the East Coast. Really helps me see my kids more [chuckles].

“So, when having conversations the way the market shook out, Toronto became a really good fit for me, had some conversations with the front office and wanted to really know, like, all right, what’s the direction of the team? How do you view 2025?They came back, and said, ‘Hey, we’re in an all-in position. We’re going for it.’ So, it was kind of music to my ears,” he explained. However, initially, the Blue Jays weren’t the only consideration for they had a frustrating offseason, missing out on stars like Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani. So, what changed?

When they made a serious push to sign Scherzer, the veteran right-hander categorically mentioned the Jays signing Anthony Santander, an impact bat for their outfield, made all the difference. “They showed the commitment that they’re serious about this year and became definitely an option for me and obviously we got that across the finish line.” Safe to say, that geographical preference immediately narrowed his options, and as the free-agent market unfolded, Toronto became a legitimate destination.

For Scherzer, the move makes sense beyond just baseball. He spent the last few years bouncing around—from Washington to Los Angeles to New York to Texas—and while he’s been successful everywhere, the veteran now values stability. Being able to stay closer to his family while playing for a team intent on contending was the perfect combination. Of course, there’s the matter of how much he has left in the tank. Injuries limited Scherzer in 2024, and his velocity has dipped. But his track record suggests that when healthy, he’s still a difference-maker. In the end, Scherzer’s choice was as much about life as it was about baseball.

2025 and beyond: can the Toronto Blue Jays deliver on its promise?

The Blue Jays are fully committed to going all out in 2025. However, competing in the AL East poses a significant challenge for them. On paper, their pitching rotation seems solid, with Max Scherzer joining Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt. But Scherzer’s durability at age 40 raises some doubts. In terms of offense, Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette need to step up after an inconsistent 2024 season, while Anthony Santander brings some needed power to the team. If the Blue Jays manage to stay fit and meet the standards enough, they might have a shot at securing a spot in the playoffs.

However, making it to October is quite challenging indeed. The Yankees have made changes to their team by adding Max Fried to their pitching lineup alongside Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. Meanwhile, the Orioles still remain a powerful team despite the departure of Corbin Burnes. They have promising talents, like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson leading them. The Baltimore team’s farm system consistently produces top-level players, which helps them stay competitive in the run.

At last, for Toronto to break through, they’ll need consistency and perhaps one more big move at the trade deadline to stay ahead in a division that never forgives mediocrity. Can the Blue Jays overcome their AL East rivals and turn their aggressive offseason moves into a deep postseason run? Let us know below.