A possible target for the Atlanta Braves in the starting pitcher market signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Max Scherzer, a veteran right-hander, will not return to the NL East with the Atlanta Braves.
On January 30, MLB insider Jon Heyman claimed that Scherzer had signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The transaction was worth $15.5 million.
Scherzer deal: $15.5M https://t.co/N3yHIdAcbB
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 30, 2025
Scherzer was linked to a number of organizations this offseason, including the Braves. Those speculations became especially heated in Atlanta after Charlie Morton signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Surprisingly, Morton and Scherzer signed for comparable amounts. Morton committed to a one-year, $15 million deal to join the AL East.
This appears to be the offseason trend for pitchers who are connected to or have previously pitched for the Braves. Max Fried joined the New York Yankees in the American League East for a fee that much over $15 million.
It’s crucial not to overstate the significance of Scherzer’s decision not to sign with the Braves. Although the prospect was intriguing, Atlanta was probably not a realistic destination for the three-time Cy Young winner.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos stated on January 24 that the team will not sign a starting pitcher unless it “makes sense.” If the Braves were not interested in Morton, as they appear to be, a Scherzer-Morton trade was unlikely.
Scherzer also didn’t sign with a team that will compete with the Braves for a playoff position. So it’s not a big deal if Scherzer returns to All-Star form in 2025.
Braves fans should be feeling much better about the team’s offseason following the signing of Jurickson Profar on January 23. The team’s offseason inactivity has officially concluded, making it less difficult to see another free agent sign away.
