Breakdown of Max Scherzer's contract, arrival at Blue Jays' Spring Training
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Max Scherzer's new deal with the Toronto Blue Jays is structured around performance and durability, giving both sides flexibility while offering significant upside.
The Toronto Blue Jays made headlines early Thursday by finalizing a one-year contract with Max Scherzer for the 2026 season.
Earlier this month, multiple media outlets reported that discussions between the two sides were underway.
Scherzer was vocal this winter about waiting for the right opportunity and the right team to sign with, and even his 8-year old daughter Brooke was hoping that the right-hander would return to the Blue Jays this year.
By 1:00 AM this morning, the agreement was complete: Scherzer will earn a $3 million base salary, with a series of innings-based incentives that could raise the total value of the contract to $13 million.
For the future Hall of Famer, it's a unique setup. The deal carries a modest guaranteed salary but offers substantial bonuses tied directly to how many innings he logs.
In other words, Scherzer's earnings will largely depend on his ability to stay healthy and take the ball every fifth day.
The structure limits risk for the Blue Jays while giving Scherzer the opportunity to significantly boost his pay if he becomes a steady presence in the rotation.
Max Scherzer's one-year deal with the Blue Jays benefits both sides
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the contract breaks down as follows:
Details of Max Scherzer's one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays:
$3 million base salary. $1 million when he reaches 65 innings
$1 million at 65 innings
$1 million at 75 innings
$1 million at 85 innings
$1 million at 95 innings
$1 million at 105 innings
$1 million at 115 innings
$1 million at 125 innings
$1 million at 135 innings
$1 million at 145 innings
$1 million at 155 innings
He can receive a total of $13M, same as Justin Verlander, although Verlander has $11M in deferrals.
He can earn $13M total
$3 million base salary. $1 million when he reaches 65 innings
$1 million at 65 innings
$1 million at 75 innings
$1 million at 85 innings
$1 million at 95 innings
$1 million at 105 innings
$1 million at 115 innings
$1 million at 125 innings
$1 million at 135 innings
$1 million at 145 innings
$1 million at 155 innings
He can receive a total of $13M, same as Justin Verlander, although Verlander has $11M in deferrals.
He can earn $13M total
Should Scherzer appear in 155+ innings, he would finish the year at $13 million, which is just a couple million dollars short of what the Jays paid him last year.
That total mirrors the guarantee given to Justin Verlander this offseason, though Verlander's deal reportedly includes $11 million in deferred money.
Last season, Scherzer made 17 starts for Toronto, finishing with 85 innings pitched.
Under this new incentive structure, that workload would have added an extra $3 million to his earnings.
The veteran right-hander missed a significant portion of the first half with a thumb injury but played an important role down the stretch. He closed the year with a 5.19 ERA and a 4.99 FIP.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider expects Scherzer to report to camp sometime this weekend
According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Scherzer has already been throwing bullpen sessions and facing live hitters.
Max Scherzer has been throwing bullpens and live BP, which he'll do again after arriving and going through his physical. For now, John Schneider expects him in camp sometime over the weekend. #BlueJays
He is expected to continue that work once he arrives in Dunedin, Fla., and completes his physical.
For his career, Scherzer is 221-117 with a 3.22 ERA and WHIP of 1.084 over 2,963.0 IP.
His 3,489 strikeouts are 11th all-time and second among active players behind only his former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander (3,553).
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Interview: Max Scherzer talks about reunion with Toronto Blue Jays
Interview: Max Scherzer talks about reunion with Toronto Blue Jays
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 26|143 ANSWERS Breakdown of Max Scherzer's contract, arrival at Blue Jays' Spring Training Do you think Max Scherzer can stay healthy all season and earn the maximum $13 million in his contract? | ||
| Yes | 83 | 58 % |
| No | 36 | 25.2 % |
| Too early to tell | 24 | 16.8 % |
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