By Patrick McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation could take a hit this offseason.
That's because both Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are free agents right now. Scherzer made 17 starts for the Blue Jays in 2025 and pitched to a 5.19 ERA. Bassitt pitched in 32 games -- including 31 starts -- and had a 3.96 ERA in 170 1/3 innings pitched. The 2025 campaign was Scherzer's only one in Toronto, while Bassitt spent three seasons with the Blue Jays.
With potential holes in the rotation, it should be a priority to add this offseason. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince weighed in and predicted that the Blue Jays will end up signing nine-time All-Star Justin Verlander.
..."Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander will switch spots," Castrovince wrote. "Though I’ve predicted (Kyle Tucker) to land elsewhere, this should nevertheless be an active offseason for the Blue Jays. I see Bo Bichette coming back, for sure. Beyond that, I see them spending on a closer and moving Jeff Hoffman out of that prescribed role. Maybe not spending Edwin Díaz money, but perhaps Robert Suarez money?
"As for the rotation, the Blue Jays don’t need to take a big swing after Shane Bieber’s decision to come back, but they’ll still need more depth. It says here that Scherzer will depart to rejoin his old University of Missouri pitching coach Tony Vitello in San Francisco, while Verlander, who was the more durable of the 40-something future Hall of Famers this past season, will chase another ring and another handful of wins with the Jays."
Verlander made 29 starts in 2025 with the San Francisco Giants and logged a 3.85 ERA in 152 innings pitched. Although he is 42 years old, he was at his best down the stretch in 2025. He had a 2.60 ERA in his final 13 starts for San Francisco.
If the Blue Jays miss out on guys like Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease, this would be a good way to pivot.
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