Ken Rosenthal: 'Industry experts expect Max Scherzer to land with San Francisco Giants'
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
41 year-old free agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer is expected to reunite with former pitching coach and new San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello.
According MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, industry experts say that Max Scherzer is likely to reunite with his friend, and former pitching coach at Missouri in the mid-2000's Tony Vitello.
Scherzer not ready to throw in the towel yet
Scherzer had his ups and downs in the regular season with injuries in 2025, however, he got over his thumb issues and had three quality post season starts.
In his World Series game 7 start with the Toronto Blue Jays he outlasted Shohei Ohtani. Sure, Ohtani was pitching on three days' rest. But Scherzer is 41.
Scherzer allowed one run in 4 1/3 innings while Ohtani allowed three runs, all on a homer by Bo Bichette, in 2 1/3.
The takeaway for Scherzer, not just from that start but all three he made in the postseason, is rather obvious. He can still pitch at the highest level.
One of the greatest pitchers of all time. And he was a Toronto Blue Jay. Thank you, Max Scherzer.
According to Rosenthal, one MLB executive said:
«He may not get 30 starts. But can he get 20 starts at a mid-3.00 ERA and a mid-3.00 FIP, be a guy who's going to compete and care about winning? I 100 percent believe that.»
While very likely, Scherzer to the Giants isn't set in stone. A return to Toronto also might be an option.
Scherzer, like virtually all of the Blue Jays, speaks with great fondness about the unique bonds the players and their families forged last season.
In an interview with Rosenthal, Scherzer isn't ready to talk about his wish list yet.
«The World Series is still so fresh in my mind,» Scherzer said, «and in my heart, it's hard to even think about solving free agency.»
The biggest thing, he said, is that he no longer has to deal with the right thumb inflammation that surfaced in 2023, making it painful for him to grip the ball and creating other arm problems the past three seasons, writes Rosenthal.
«The way I see it, I'm healthy. I'm going to be able to go into spring training. I'm going to be able to ramp up,» Scherzer said. «I have a track record of being a durable starter. I know how to navigate a season. I know how to navigate starts. I just feel I'm in a much better position to be able to do that now that I have this thumb issue completely resolved.»
One thing Scherzer knows for sure is that he isn't finished yet. «I still can do this,» the 18-year veteran said.
Scherzer said his wife, Erica, and four children, ranging in age from almost 3 to almost 8, are on board with him returning for a 19th season.
«Knowing that my thumb is healthy, that means my right arm is going to be healthy. That was the No. 1 worry,» Scherzer said. «I'm past that. I'm way past that. Now, looking forward, I want to still compete, and compete for a World Series. I want to continue my career and play in 2026.»
Whether it be with the Giants, Blue Jays or who ever is willing to take a chance on the 41-year old future hall of famer, it will be intriguing to see how it all plays out.
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