After Blue Jays Exit, Future Hall Of Famer Details Return Decision

Shortly after reaching Game 7 of the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays emerged as the most aggressive shoppers in Major League Baseball this winter. But now their offseason focus has shifted from the new faces coming in to the familiar players who are leaving.

The team opened the offseason by adding Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers and Kazuma Okamoto in short order. And now they have officially lost longtime shortstop Bo Bichette to the New York Mets.

“Romantically, Jays fans wanted Bichette back in Toronto,” Steve Simmons wrote for the Toronto Sun. “But the front office of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins — neither of whom are particularly romantic in any kind of sporting way — never cared a whole lot for Bichette, going back to firing the scout who recommended drafting him years ago, and picking up the terrible contract of Andres Gimenez, knowing he could play shortstop once Bichette had left Toronto.”

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Toronto Blue Jays’ Free Agent Max Scherzer Breaks Silence On MLB Return

The Blue Jays still have a few weeks before Spring Training to decide if there are any other additions they want to make or new free agents they are willing to watch walk away. Along with Bichette, veteran starters Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer hit the open market following the team’s World Series bid.

And now Scherzer has provided an update about his interest in continuing his Hall of Fame career.

“In a telephone conversation Thursday, free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer said he is healthy and ready to sign at any moment if certain teams call,” Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported for The Athletic. “But if the right opportunity is not available, Scherzer also is content to wait until after Opening Day for an opening to emerge with one of his preferred clubs.”

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Toronto Blue Jays Could Be Best Fit For Max Scherzer Return

Scherzer, who joined the Blue Jays on a one-year deal last winter, struggled with injuries before playing a key role in the American League Championship Series and World Series. He maintained a 3.77 ERA in three playoff starts and gave up just one run in 4.1 World Series innings against the Dodgers.

If the Blue Jays feel like he can pick up where he left off, a short-term return would make sense. But as Scherzer indicated to The Athletic, it seems like he could wait until midseason to come back. That would mitigate his injury problems and keep him in good form to propel a playoff run.

It’s likely that many contenders have their eyes on such a deal for Scherzer, but a return to the Blue Jays might make the most sense given how things played out last year.