Overview
- Scherzer told The Athletic he is ready to sign immediately if specific teams show interest.
- He is prepared to remain unsigned beyond Opening Day to secure a preferred role with a contender, with no teams identified.
- After a 5.19 ERA in 17 regular-season starts for Toronto in 2025, he improved in October, allowing one run over 4.1 innings in World Series Game 7.
- He enters 2026 as a high-profile free agent with 221 career wins, ranking second among active pitchers following Clayton Kershaw’s retirement.
- Several notable starters remain on the market as spring training nears, and recent in-season signings by pitchers offer precedent for a later deal.