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Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer explains free agency process, pursuit of World Series
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 14, 2026, 12:46 EDT
For many fans, it feels like the last time the Passion was alive was during the Toronto Blue Jays’ run to the World Series.
On Friday, following the Maple Leafs’ victory over the Anaheim Ducks, Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss the process of re-signing in Toronto, how he felt during his first season with the Blue Jays and the driving forces behind continuing his career.
During the show, Scherzer discussed his offseason, noting that he had to wait until March 3, to officially join the Blue Jays’ roster for the 2026 season.
“There were a couple of teams that I could have signed with, but Toronto was always in my heart, I always wanted to come back to it,” Scherzer said. “I’ve been to free agency multiple times, you think you’re going back to a team, it doesn’t work that way. I respected the process and understood how it was going to unfold. I knew that if it was going to be Toronto, it was going to be late. I knew that other teams could be involved, but everything worked out, and here I am back with the Blue Jays. Everything’s great.”
As for what made Toronto so special, Scherzer discussed the impact that his first season with the club had on him and his family.
“It was a good team and a good fit. Between the coaches, the players and the staff, this was a great fit for me,” Scherzer said. “I really enjoyed being a Blue Jay; everything worked out. Being on the East Coast helps get the kids back and forth. I love living downtown; it made it great for me and the kids to get to the ballpark. There’s just a lot of things, even off the field, that made Toronto a great place for me. Obviously, on the field, we’ve got a great team that came a click away from winning the World Series, and we’ve got a great team again this year. I want to be a part of that.”
Scherzer has taken home almost every accolade that a pitcher can throughout his career. The right-hander is a two-time World Series champion, three-time Cy Young winner and an eight-time All-Star, while also having thrown two no-hitters during the 2015 season. With nothing left to prove on the mound, Scherzer remains motivated by one factor as he continues his career.
“Winning the World Series, getting that ring. Once you get it, it’s an unbelievable feeling, a sense of accomplishment. But then, when you win a second time, all you want to do is win again and again. You just want to keep winning the World Series, there’s nothing like it,” Scherzer said. “You can’t replicate it in anything else in life. For me, that’s what keeps me motivated, nothing else. When I wake up every single morning, I’m going to push myself to the limit to go out there and compete for a World Series.”
While Scherzer noted that he doesn’t follow hockey as much as he’d like to as his professional career continues, he does have a Maple Leafs game circled on his calendar before the regular season comes to a close.
“I looked at their schedule. There’s one I’m really circling on April 8,” Scherzer said. “It’s when the Washington Capitals come to town to face the Maple Leafs. I want to find a way to get to that, I want to see Alexander Ovechkin one more time.”
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