5 best one-and-done seasons in Blue Jays history

Max Scherzer may not be here for a long time, but Toronto Blue Jays fans are hoping he’s here for a good time. The 40-year-old signed a one-year $15 million deal with Toronto in the offseason, and it’s likely it will be his only season with the club.

But, with a strong year, Scherzer could join this list of players who had the best one of the best one-and-done seasons in Blue Jays history.

Dave Winfield (1992)

Like Scherzer, Winfield came to Toronto as a 40 year old with a Hall of Fame resume. Winfield helped the Blue Jays to their first pennant, and drove in the eventual World Series winning runs. He led the team with an .867 OPS, and finished second on the team in batting average (.290), home runs (26) and RBI (108), making him the first 40-year-old to reach drive in more than 100 runs in a single season.

Marcus Semien (2021)

After having a down year during the shortened 2020 season, there wasn't a huge market for Semien's services heading in 2021. The Blue Jays reaped the rewards of that depressed market by signing Semien to a one-year, $18 million deal, which led to him having one of the best individual seasons in Blue Jays history. Semien slugged 45 home runs as a second baseman (the MLB record for a second baseman), was named an All-Star and won his first Silver Slugger and Gold Glove. He also finished third in the MVP award voting with a 7.1 bWAR.  

David Price (2015)

While Price didn't even play a full season in Toronto, his presence and his dominance after the 2015 trade deadline can’t be ignored. Price threw 74 1/3 innings in 11 games with Toronto and struck out 87 hitters for an ERA+ of 179. He pitched at least six innings or more in nine of his 11 starts and became the ace of the Blue Jays' rotation. The acquisition of Price helped Toronto win its first AL East crown since 1993.

Tom Candiotti (1991)

Similar to Price, Candiotti’s arrival in June of 1991 helped stabilize a rotation that was without Dave Stieb, who hit the IL with a season-ending injury in late May. Candiotti, a 34-year-old knuckleballer, produced some eye-popping numbers in his one season in Toronto, as he recorded an ERA+ of 142 in 129 2/3 innings. While he wasn’t as dominating as Price was (the Blue Jays went 10-9 in Candiotti's starts) he did his part. Batter his just .236 against him and henarrowly missed out on winning the ERA title.   

Pete Vuckovich (1977)

A swingman before the term was popular, Vuckovich was excellent as both a starter and a reliever for the expansion era Blue Jays of 1977. He pitched in 53 games (eight starts) and threw three complete games, one of those being the first shutout in Toronto Blue Jays history (a 2-0 win over future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and the Orioles). Vuckovich also recorded eight saves with a 121 ERA+ and held batters to a .257 average in148 innings. He also played Clu Haywood in the 1989 movie Major League.

Honorable Mentions

Ron Fairly (1977):  Toronto’s first All-Star. Produced a 2.4 bWAR in 1977 with a .279/.362/.465 slash line with 19 home runs and an .827 OPS

Steven Matz (2021): Produced a 2.2 bWAR with 144 strikeouts in 150 2/3 innings.

Brandon Belt (2023): Hit 19 home runs with anOPS+ of 135 in 103 games.

John Buck (2010):  Set the record for home runs by a Toronto catcher (20) in 118 games. Slashed .281/.314/.489 with an .802 OPS.

Jose Canseco (1998): Hit 46 home runs (the second-most in Blue Jays history at the time).

Bengie Molina (2006): Slashed .284/.319./.467 in 117 games while hitting 19 home runs and striking out just 47 times in 458 plate appearances.