Even though his 2025 season finished with an ERA of 5.19, Max Scherzer played a very crucial role in the Toronto Blue Jays’ making the World Series. But we all knew that most probably, Scherzer wasn’t coming back to the Jays, especially with Cease added to the team.

The plan for Max Scherzer was to wait until the trade deadline and wait for a team in need of his help and then sign. But the Jays keeping him in their radar means that the Jays still want him. But this also means that the plans that Scherzer had for his return might change, especially with the Jays involved in his market.

The Toronto Blue Jays built impressive rotation depth after signing multiple pitchers this offseason.

They added Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce alongside Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage. Their rotation already included José Berríos, who had 138 strikeouts during the 2025 season. That workload ranked among Toronto’s highest innings totals during their competitive postseason campaign push.

This depth reflects management’s clear focus on improving rotation strength after allowing 209 home runs.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

José Berríos‘ return to health gives Toronto stability after finishing 2025 with a 4.17 ERA across 32 appearances. He still delivered 166 innings, proving durability remains a major strength despite late struggles.

His reliability becomes essential with Shane Bieber managing forearm fatigue entering 2026 spring training. Bieber made seven appearances, posting a 4-2 record and 3.57 ERA after midseason Toronto arrival.

Those numbers show his value, but injury uncertainty still complicates Toronto’s opening rotation plans significantly.

That uncertainty explains why Max Scherzer remains firmly connected to Toronto’s contingency plans this season.

Jays Insider Keegan Matheson stressed monitoring Bieber’s health before making external pitching decisions. Toronto currently prefers internal depth rather than immediate free-agent signings unless injuries worsen later.

Scherzer showed postseason reliability, posting a 3.77 ERA across playoff starts and critical late innings. His Game 7 effort included allowing one run across 4⅓ innings against the Dodgers.

Toronto’s cautious approach reflects the belief that its current rotation can handle early regular-season pressure. They already invested heavily by signing Cease for seven years and a $210 million contract.

Adding another starter immediately could reduce opportunities for developing pitchers like Yesavage and Ponce.

However, recent examples show that pitching depth disappears quickly when injuries strike during competitive postseason races. The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen logged 450⅔ innings while struggling with a 4.41 ERA performance.

That reality strengthens arguments for Toronto keeping Scherzer ready if rotation instability emerges midseason.

Scherzer threw 85 innings and delivered strong playoff performances despite regular-season injury limitations. He could stabilize early rotation until Bieber returns, reducing pressure on younger starters significantly. Later, he could shift roles, similar to Clayton Kershaw supporting bullpen depth in postseason situations.

With Toronto involved in his market, other teams might not want to go there because of the competition the Jays will give. The Jays have to strengthen their bullpen just in case, and with them keeping his market lukewarm, Scherzer might have to change his plans of wanting to wait for a team and rather make a move himself.

The Blue Jays have three more arms they could add to the bullpen, if required

We know the Blue Jays have a great pitching department with Yesavage and Cease in the starting rotation, and Louis Varland and Brendon Little in the bullpen. But even with that, the Jays know from seeing the Dodgers that no amount of pitchers are enough. SO the Jays can now plan their bullpen by going after any of the 3 arms.

The Toronto Blue Jays‘ bullpen enters 2026 carrying both pride and unanswered postseason frustration still lingering. Jeff Hoffman converted 33 saves but finished with a troubling 4.37 ERA overall season mark.

Manager John Schneider still said, “He’s got good stuff, I still trust him,” publicly. Tyler Rogers strengthens depth after signing a three-year contract worth $37 million this offseason. Yet bullpen failures cost games, including Hoffman’s blown ninth-inning homer against Houston late in September.

Those moments still sit heavily with fans remembering just how close everything truly was.

That reality explains why proven relief help still matters entering another demanding year with postseason hopes.

Danny Coulombe delivered a 2.30 ERA and 3.30 FIP across combined 2025 appearances. His Minnesota stretch was dominant, holding hitters to a .188 average across 40 outings there.

Tommy Kahnle struggled with Detroit, posting a 4.43 ERA across 66 appearances last season. However, he recorded a 2.11 ERA just one season earlier across 50 outings. These numbers show recovery potential if control stabilizes and the workload is carefully managed throughout the season.

Michael Kopech offers upside after posting a 1.13 ERA across 24 late-season appearances recently. His velocity remains elite, even while walking 13 batters across only 11 innings recently.

That risk-reward profile fits perfectly with Toronto’s approach to targeting bounce-back bullpen reinforcements strategically now. Hoffman himself admitted, “My stuff has not been great,” showing honest frustration publicly recently.

Adding reliable depth ensures emotional postseason heartbreak never repeats inside Rogers Centre again.