Blue Jays News: Mad Max wants one more ring

Max Scherzer has won three Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings in his career. Even though he is a mortal lock for the Hall of Fame and needs no further credentials to establish his legacy as one of the best pitchers of the 21st century, that imbalance seems to bother the pitcher they call "Mad Max".

After falling just short of that elusive third title in 2025, Scherzer has informed The Athletic that he wants another go of things before hanging up his cleats for good.

Scherzer admitted to debating retirement while rehabbing his thumb injury earlier in the year, stating that he could barely grip the ball and felt ineffective on the mound for the first time in his life. When he did return, he got lit up and allowed 17 runs in 15 innings in September.

However, in pure Mad Max fashion, he never doubted that he would available if the Blue Jays needed him in the playoffs: “I’ve pitched through a lot of things in my career. If you’re able to throw the baseball, you can go out there and win. That’s the mentality I always have with these things... It can never be an excuse. You’re always going to take the ball.”

Max Scherzer set to return in 2026, could reunite with Blue Jays

Scherzer, who won World Series titles with the Washington Nationals (2019) and Texas Rangers (2023) in recent years, clearly still has the talent to contribute to a contending team. For all of his regular season struggles, he showed up when it mattered most in the postseason, winning Game 4 of the ALCS (to even that series 2-2) before starting and dominating in Game 7 of the World Series.

In that performance, the 41-year-old lasted 4.1 innings while surrendering just one run against a loaded Dodgers lineup. When he left the game, the Blue Jays were up 3-1 and looked poised to walk away with the title.

Of course, that didn't come to fruition, but Scherzer still gave Toronto the kind of start it needed to win that game. His experience, grittiness, intelligence, and yes, madness, are all invaluable intangibles to a winning clubhouse. He may no longer be the Cy Young young contender he was earlier in his career, but Scherzer can still be an effective part of a contending team's pitching staff.

Though he didn't mention the Blue Jays by name when speaking to the The Athletic -- the only team mentioned as a suitor is the San Francisco Giants, which reported Ken Rosenthal admits to be pure speculation -- it stands to reason that a reunion with Toronto could be on the table. Scherzer will be prioritizing a chance to win it all in free agency, and after coming two outs away from that feat in 2025, reuniting with the Blue Jays may be his best chance at winning a third ring.