If Blue Jays don't re-sign Mad Max, here's another veteran the team could consider

Prior to the 2025 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays signed three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer to a one-year contract. With his experience, it seemed like a quality signing for the Blue Jays to add to the rotation.

Scherzer's 2025 season has had some struggles, dealing with injuries and rough starts. However, a steady July and August helped the Blue Jays to keep their AL East Division lead. At 41 years old, Scherzer turned into a quality starter on the Blue Jays roster.

After the season, Scherzer will be a free agent. There was some talk about the potential to resign Scherzer after the 2025 season ends. However, if the Blue Jays can't re-sign Scherzer for the 2026 season, there's another veteran starter on the market who the team could consider signing.

Toronto could have desire to sign Verlander if Scherzer doesn't return to team for 2026

Just like Scherzer, former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander also signed with a new team for the 2025 season. Verlander signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants who had hoped that Verlander would turn into a solid starter at 42 years old. Although he had a tough few months to start the season, Verlander's recent pitching is getting him back to his old self.

In 25 starts this season, Verlander has a 3-10 record, but he's been solid lately with the Giants still pursuing a late postseason push in the struggling National League. Over his last three starts, Verlander has won two of them.

Verlander was dominant in his last start on Saturday night when he pitched six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on the road. Unfortunately for Verlander, he wouldn't earn his third consecutive win after the Cardinals scored three runs in the ninth inning to get the walk-off win.

After his start against the Cardinals, Verlander has lowered his ERA to 4.09 on the season, which is lower than Scherzer's 4.36 ERA. Verlander also has a lower ERA than Scherzer despite starting in 11 more games. Verlander also has pitched the third highest innings on the Giants roster with 127.2. Considering his age, Verlander's 2025 season has been solid for the Giants.

The Blue Jays will need to keep their starting rotation strong for 2026. Scherzer has shown he's a capable starter, but has dealt with injuries late in his career. Verlander is a veteran that has been healthy who the Blue Jays may need to consider if the team can't re-sign Scherzer this off-season.