The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer on a one-year deal worth $15,500,000.
Scherzer, now 40, made nine starts for the Texas Rangers last season, finishing with a 3.95 ERA. He recorded a 5.6% walk rate, a 22.6% strikeout rate, a 29.2% whiff rate, and a 36.4% chase rate. The veteran pitcher boasts impressive career stats, ranking second among active pitchers in strikeouts (3,416), innings pitched (2,878.0), wins (216), and starts (457).
An eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and two-time World Series champion, Scherzer sits 11th in MLB history in strikeouts and is one of just 19 pitchers to achieve 3,000 career strikeouts. His nine seasons with 200+ strikeouts rank fifth all-time, trailing only Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Tom Seaver.
Originally selected in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Scherzer made his MLB debut in 2008. Over his 17-year career, he has played for the Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers. Scherzer has a career record of 216-112 (.659) with a 3.16 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 6.5% walk rate, and 29.3% strikeout rate. His winning percentage is the seventh-highest in MLB history for pitchers with at least 1,500 innings pitched, and his ERA is the third-lowest among active pitchers with the same minimum.
Additionally, the Blue Jays have designated right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen for assignment.
