MLB Rumors: One Team Becoming Clear Favorite To Sign Max Scherzer

November 12, 2025 ,
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer walks off the field during 2025 game.

Max Scherzer to the San Francisco Giants is officially becoming a thing this winter.

Multiple reports say league insiders expect the San Francisco Giants to make the strongest push for the 41-year-old free agent after his gritty postseason with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

New Giants manager Tony Vitello coached Scherzer at Missouri, and that relationship is fueling predictions that San Francisco becomes his next stop. Even with a 5.19 ERA across 17 regular-season starts, Scherzer flashed in October and believes he is past the thumb issue that undercut recent seasons.

Why the Giants Fit Scherzer’s 2026 Plans

San Francisco needs quality innings behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, and the front office has already shown it will leverage Oracle Park for veteran arms. 

Justin Verlander did exactly that last year, trimming his home run rate and stabilizing a staff that still finished top ten in ERA. Scherzer’s 3.77 postseason ERA over three starts, including two in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, reinforced the idea he can still deliver swing-and-miss stuff in big moments. 

A one-year or short multi-year pact makes sense for both sides: the Giants get proven competitiveness and leadership, while Scherzer gets a contending stage, with a familiar manager and a pitcher-friendly park that suits his fly-ball profile.

Beating the Dodgers requires more front-line depth for the Giants, not just innings. If Scherzer reaches 20 starts at something near a mid-3.00 ERA, he meaningfully raises the rotation floor and gives Vitello a seasoned voice for a clubhouse that expects to play important games in September. 

A Toronto reunion is still possible, but industry chatter continues to tilt toward the Bay.

Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

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