Should the Blue Jays reunite with Chris Bassitt or Max Scherzer this offseason?

Upon the conclusion of the World Series, veteran pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer showed their great appreciation for playing for the Toronto Blue Jays during their magical run in 2025. With both players entering free agency this offseason, they certainly would want another go-around with the Blue Jays.

At the same time, Toronto will be looking to add some elite pitching already this offseason to further bolster their chances at returning to the World Series in 2026. As a result, the Blue Jays will likely only have room for one of Bassitt or Scherzer on next year’s roster.

Should the Blue Jays reunite with Chris Bassitt or Max Scherzer this offseason?

Without question Scherzer has the more impressive accolades to date, being an eight-time All-Star and three time Cy Young winner. With a lifetime 221-117 record, along with a stellar 3.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3489 strikeouts in 2963 total innings, he his a surefire Hall of Famer when he eventually retires. However, health has been an issue for him during the past couple of years, as Scherzer hasn’t appeared in more than 17 games in a season since 2023. 

More significantly, being tagged by the long ball has been an issue for the 41-year-old right-hander ever since his pitching velocity has diminished in recent years. In particular in 2025 with the Blue Jays, the 19 home runs he gave up in just 85 innings of work for a home run rate of two home runs per nine innings was the highest ever for his 18-year MLB career. That weakness could become much more worrisome as Scherzer ages even more.

On the other hand, despite not having as an extensive resume as Scherzer, Bassitt has been Mr. Consistency during his past seven seasons in the majors. Having recorded at least 25 starts each year since 2019 (minus the COVID-shortened 2020 season), the 36-year-old right-hander has maintained an ERA below four, posted double digits in wins while pitching at least 144 innings and registering at least 141 strikeouts in six of his past seven years. More impressively Bassitt has been able to accomplish it despite being on the wrong side of 30.

On top of that, he proved that his value could go beyond than being just a starter this past postseason with the Blue Jays. Pitching out of the bullpen as a reliever for Toronto during the MLB Playoffs, Bassitt compiled a 1.04 ERA, 0.58 WHIP along with 10 strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched over seven postseason appearances. He certainly showed that he was willing to do anything to help the team win.

As a result, as much as the Blue Jays and their beloved fanbase would want both players to be back once for the 2026 MLB season, Toronto realistically should reunite with Bassitt over Scherzer this offseason. That is because not only does Bassitt have the lesser injury history of the two, but by showing that he can be an elite shutdown reliever with his cameo this past October, the Blue Jays will always have that option to fall back on if he ever falters as a starter at any time during his contract. With that safety net and health reassurance in place, Bassitt will be worth the investment on a short-term deal.