One of the MLB’s biggest free agents in 2025, Max Scherzer, is all over baseball headlines, but the one team that makes the most sense for the 41-year-old pitcher is the San Francisco Giants.
The current San Francisco Giants rotation is built around rising ace Kyle Harrison, who has developed into their most reliable and high-upside starter.
Behind him, Jordan Hicks and Logan Webb provide stability, though both have battled inconsistency and could benefit from another dependable veteran arm. The remaining spots are filled by younger or fringe starters, leaving the overall rotation talented but thin — which is why adding an experienced pitcher like Max Scherzer makes so much sense.
There’s obviously rumors about Scherzer potentially wanting to stay with Toronto for another season, but the Jays may not be interested in a reunion, especially with their continuous pursuit of the top-tier of free agents.
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San Francisco Giants Sign Max Scherzer
After a solid-but-not-spectacular 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, Scherzer remains a viable veteran option as he eyes 2026 — and the Giants make sense.
For the Giants, adding Scherzer is about more than just stats. Their front office has already telegraphed interest in bringing in experienced arms to bolster the rotation.
Scherzer also has a personal connection to the organization’s new leadership: their manager, Tony Vitello, coached Scherzer back in their Missouri days.
That bond could help Scherzer transition smoothly into the club, provide leadership and mentorship for younger pitchers, and help preserve clubhouse chemistry during a year likely focused on maximizing every win.
From a performance standpoint, even at age 41, Scherzer still offers upside. Historically, he’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner with a lifetime record north of 220 wins, a sub-3.25 career ERA, and thousands of strikeouts.
While he may no longer be a front-line ace logging 200+ innings, many projections see him as capable of delivering 20 or so starts with a mid-3.00 ERA and a competitive FIP — precisely the kind of veteran “innings-eater” a rotation like San Francisco’s could use.
Finally, the Giants are in a position where depth and flexibility matter. Their current rotation mix includes younger arms and less-proven starters, so a savvy one-year signing of Scherzer could provide stability without sacrificing future flexibility. As their front-office chairman recently described — veterans like Scherzer are “options,” and though there’s risk with age, they are still “studs.”
Max Scherzer Stats
If the Giants are serious about balancing youth with experience while remaining competitive in 2026, bringing in Scherzer seems like a smart, low-risk, high-reward move.
Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 85 innings in the regular season, with 82 strikeouts in 17 appearances for Toronto.
Despite those numbers, he carried strong postseason credibility into the playoffs, making multiple starts including two in the World Series and earning a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings with 11 strikeouts.
That kind of resilience — rebounding from a difficult regular season to deliver under pressure — is exactly the kind of veteran presence any contender would value.
How Much Will Max Scherzer Cost?
Scherzer has already stated he plans to pitch in 2026 and isn’t close to setting a retirement date, meaning he could remain in the league for several more seasons. Max Scherzer has made over $345 million across his 17-year career.
At this stage, his days of landing long-term, high-dollar deals are behind him. From here on out, he’ll be working on short-term contracts, with his current projected value sitting around one year at $9 million — a bargain for a future Hall of Famer who still competes relentlessly and brings immeasurable leadership to a clubhouse.
In today’s game, starting pitching depth matters more than ever — something the Dodgers showcased when they used four starters in Game 7 of the World Series. Signing Max Scherzer would move them firmly in that direction.