Tag: Toronto Blue Jays

Max Scherzer is joining the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the deal.

The source spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, as the deal had not been officially announced and was still pending a physical.

The 40-year-old Scherzer made only nine starts with Texas last year, posting a 2-4 record with a 3.95 ERA. The three-time Cy Young Award winner started the season on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery. He also spent time on the IL from Aug. 2 to Sept. 13 due to shoulder fatigue and missed the end of the season because of a left hamstring strain.

Scherzer will join a rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt. The Blue Jays also have Bowden Francis, who had a strong rookie season, and Yariel Rodríguez, who signed a $32 million, five-year contract last February.

The Blue Jays finished last in the AL East with a 74-88 record in 2024. They have not won a playoff game since being eliminated by Cleveland in the 2016 AL Championship Series. They were swept in the wild-card round in 2020, 2022, and 2023.

The signing of Scherzer is the second major move for Toronto this offseason, following a $92.5 million, five-year contract with outfielder Anthony Santander on Jan. 20.

The Blue Jays were also in the running for Shohei Ohtani last year and were finalists for Juan Soto before he joined the New York Mets in December.

They were reportedly among the top contenders for Roki Sasaki before the Japanese pitcher signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Scherzer became a free agent after completing a $130 million, three-year contract with the Mets. He agreed to that deal in November 2021, but was traded to Texas in July 2023.

The right-hander won his second World Series title with the Rangers in 2023, following his first championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Scherzer was selected by Arizona in the first round of the 2006 amateur draft after playing at the University of Missouri. He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2008.

He won his first Cy Young Award in 2013 with Detroit, going 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts. The eight-time All-Star earned consecutive NL Cy Young Awards with Washington in 2016 and 2017.

Scherzer holds a 216-112 record with a 3.16 ERA in 466 career games over 17 seasons, including 457 starts. He has struck out 3,407 batters in 2,878 innings.

He ranks second among active pitchers in strikeouts, wins, and innings, behind former teammate Justin Verlander in each category.

General manager Ross Atkins mentioned that a Toronto Blue Jays jersey with Anthony Santander’s name on it had been “floating around our office” all through the offseason.

Santander finally put it on Tuesday during a Zoom press conference, a day after he completed a $92.5 million, five-year deal with the team.

“Looks great on me already,” Santander said with a smile.

The contract includes an opt-out clause and a team option for 2030, with escalators that could raise the total value to $110 million.

“The process was really good,” Santander shared. “Since day one, we’ve had really good communication, back and forth. I know it took a little bit longer, but we got what we wanted. We’re here. The process was really easy.”

The 30-year-old outfielder was named an All-Star for the first time last year in his eighth and final season with the Baltimore Orioles. He posted a .235 batting average, setting personal records with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 91 runs in 155 games.

Now joining the Blue Jays, Santander will be part of a lineup that is expected to feature George Springer, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“I’m happy for this opportunity,” Santander said. “I can’t wait to be with my brothers. It starts on day one of spring training. Work hard, get better every single day and go after the championship.”

He added, “That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what I’m here for.”

The Blue Jays made the playoffs as wild card teams in 2020, 2022, and 2023. However, they finished last in the AL East last year with a 74-88 record.

“Anthony is about as good of a fit as we can find,” Atkins said. “He can hit from both sides of the plate, consistently putting the ball over the fence. His ability to make an impact every night is exactly what we were looking for, and he’ll be a great addition to this lineup.”

A switch-hitter who can hit for power from both sides, Santander has averaged 35 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 153 games over the past three seasons.

He is the first big free agent signing for the Blue Jays this winter.

Atkins did not comment on the team’s failed pursuit of pitcher Roki Sasaki, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, nor did he address the potential of a long-term deal with Guerrero, who could become a free agent after the 2025 World Series.

Santander is expected to play as a designated hitter for manager John Schneider and will likely bat cleanup in many games.

“Left field, right field, first base, DH — I’m really flexible with that,” Santander said. “All that I want is to get ready to win games.”

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract on Monday, finally securing a high-profile free agent.

The deal also includes an opt-out option and a team option for 2030, with the possibility of earning up to $110 million over six seasons, according to Santander’s agency, the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Toronto had been trying to sign big-name players in the past, including Shohei Ohtani last year and Juan Soto, who was traded to the New York Mets in December. The Blue Jays were also in the running for Roki Sasaki, but the Japanese pitcher chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, Toronto successfully added Santander to its roster, where he will join stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer. The Blue Jays are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season, finishing last in the AL East with a 74-88 record.

Santander had a standout 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles, setting career highs with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 91 runs scored in 155 games. He batted .235 and had a .506 slugging percentage, earning his first All-Star appearance in the American League.

At 30 years old, Santander became the first switch-hitter since 2006 to hit 40 home runs in a season. He also became the fourth switch-hitter in MLB history to hit at least 44 homers, joining the ranks of Mickey Mantle (twice), Lance Berkman, and Chipper Jones.

Santander helped the Orioles make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, although they were swept by Kansas City in the opening round.

After the season, the Orioles extended a qualifying offer to Santander, meaning they will receive a compensatory pick after the first round of the 2025 amateur draft. In return, the Blue Jays lose their second-round draft pick and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation for the 2026 season.

To make room for Santander on Toronto’s 40-man roster, left-hander Brandon Eisert was designated for assignment.

Santander first signed with Cleveland as an international free agent in July 2011. He was then selected by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft in December 2016. After dealing with right elbow inflammation, Santander made his MLB debut with the Orioles on August 18, 2017, though he appeared in only 13 games that season.

Santander had a breakout year in 2022, hitting .240 with 33 home runs and 89 RBIs in 152 games. He became a key player as the Orioles improved from a 110-loss team the previous season to an 83-79 record.

In 2023, Santander hit .257, with 28 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a career-high 41 doubles, helping the Orioles win the AL East title with a 101-61 record. However, they were swept by the Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series.