Latest Blue Jays update suggests Toronto is nearing a replacement for Shane Bieber

It's been a wacky month for 2025 Toronto Blue Jays pitchers.

Kevin Gausman is openly pondering retirement. Chris Bassitt, now a member of the Baltimore Orioles, still isn't over the team's World Series loss. José Berrios continues to apologize for abandoning the team during their postseason run. And now, Max Scherzer is reportedly close to returning to Canada for one final swan song in 2026.

Last month, Scherzer made it clear that, while he planned to return for the 2026 season, he was in no rush to sign. Knowing that this upcoming campaign is likely his last, he was prioritizing starting opportunities with contending ballclubs.

With Shane Bieber (and Bowden Francis) now on the mend, it appears that opportunity has opened back up in Toronto.

Max Scherzer being "seriously pursued" by Blue Jays ahead of Opening Day

Though he may not be the "Mad Max" of old, Scherzer can still pitch. He posted a 3.77 ERA across three postseason starts with the Jays last year, a notable improvement over his injury-fueled 5.19 ERA in the regular season. His contact management skills remain superb and he rarely invites unwanted traffic on the basepaths with walks or non-competitive pitches.

Much like former Detroit Tigers teammate (and fellow multi-time Cy Young Award winner) Justin Verlander, Scherzer has managed to age gracefully into his forties. For what it's worth, Verlander returned to Detroit this offseason on a one-year deal.

It is worth noting that, even with Bieber down for the start of the season, the Blue Jays can still field a complete starting five. Gausman, Berrios, Trey Yesavage, Dylan Cease, and Cody Ponce are as good as any quintet this side of Los Angeles.

Would Scherzer be willing to accept a contract knowing he'd have to beat out (likely) Ponce and Eric Lauer for a role that could expire shortly after Bieber returns? Would the Blue Jays genuinely consider a six-man rotation in order to feed so many mouths?

It's also possible that Scherzer will sign with a team during the season to preserve some miles on his arm. He's covered more than 3,100 career innings between the postseason and regular season and has dealt with injuries in each of the past few years. At 41 years old (42 in July), no one would deny Mad Max some well-earned vacation time in the spring.

No matter what form it takes, a reunion with Scherzer would be a nice bit of reassurance after a few pitching injuries trimmed some depth from the rotation. We know he can still live up to the biggest moments when called upon.