Somewhere, Crystal Gayle is smiling. At one time, the most notable thing about a young Diamondbacks righthander named Max Scherzer was his mismatched eyes — one brown and one blue. But then he quickly flashed his undeniable Cy Young form, winning that award thrice and finishing Top 5 in voting eight times. After 17 seasons, and at 40-years-old, he has firmly established himself as a future Hall-of-Famer.
But, the caveat for the Blue Jays is that it’s been six years without Scherzer showing that Cooperstown form. Will he be worth it for the Jays on a short term, one year deal for $15.5-million. He slots in nicely behind returnees Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt, a foursome that will combine to earn a generous $77.5M in 2025. It’s not as if Max needs the money. In the 11 years prior to 2025, Scherzer has already earned $337M, so it’s clearly, now, about his love of the game and a desire to go out on his own terms, after being held to nine starts for the Rangers and four at Triple-A Round Rock in an injury-ravaged season in 2024.
In addition, Mal and I, on this week’s episode, discuss the new Evil Empire living at Dodger Stadium and is it actually good for the game to have one big bully living on the MLB block. Also included is a discussion of Vegas Overs and Unders listing 2025 win totals and which ones might, in fact, be worth a small wager.
Have the Blue Jays done enough this off-season to rebound from 74 wins and if not, is the Vlad Guerrero Jr. extension the biggest remaining priority? Even while Mal and I were recording on Thursday, the Jays and agent Scott Boras were working out final details, proving anything is possible at any time. All this and more.
Respectfully suggest the Vladdy extension is the Blue Jays highest remaining priority, notwithstanding any other high remaining priorities.
Other remaining priorities additionally (not in lieu of) include doing something intelligent with Bo (I suggest an extension with complex opt out / extend options - rather than trade for similar talent) and add a power bat (one of Alonso, Bregman…)
Good point about the Jays either being buyers or sellers at the deadline. If they are sellers that will surely mean that the GM is gone after the season? If they are buyers will that mean they'll use whatever good prospects they have and do exactly what Shapiro admonished AA for doing in 2015?