3 players who could be x-factors for the Blue Jays in 2025

Max Scherzer 

When the Blue Jays signed Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner, to a one-year deal in free agency this offseason, it produced both excitement and mixed reactions within the fanbase.

Being able to bring in one of the best pitchers in baseball during the past two decades definitely sounds like a win-now move. But there was also a segment of the fanbase that had some doubts considering that Scherzer is 40 and is coming off an injury-plagued season.

However, we shouldn't doubt the eight-time All-Star. After all, Scherzer is just one year removed from his solid 2023 campaign in which he posted a 13-6 record, 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 152 2/3 innings of work while helping the Texas Rangers capture their first World Series title in franchise history.

In fact, Scherzer is also a proven force in the postseason with a 3.78 ERA, 1.15 WHIP with 171 strikeouts in 143 innings over 30 playoff games.

More importantly, Scherzer is off to a tremendous start this spring. Scherzer has looked like his vintage self through two starts, as he's given up just two earned run with eight strikeouts in just 5 2/3 innings of work.

Scherzer looks like he’s out to prove that he can be depended upon as a front end starter for 2025. So look to the veteran right-hander to provide massive value to this year's Blue Jays team and easily surpass the five wins that Yusei Kikuchi and Yariel Rodríguez provided out the rotation last year. Just don't ask him about the new Automatic Ball-Strike system.