As the 2025 MLB season grinds into May, the Blue Jays find themselves at a crossroads. Hovering below .500 with a 13–15 record, the team has yet to find its rhythm in a fiercely competitive AL East. With expectations high and results underwhelming, the Blue Jays’ manager, John Schneider, may soon be forced to confront a sobering reality. Hence, it might be time to pivot from contention to liquidation.

At the center of that conversation is Max Scherzer—a future Hall of Famer on an expiring $15 million deal. He currently working his way back from a thumb injury. He brings with him the gravitas of a three-time Cy Young winner and a reputation as one of baseball’s fiercest competitors. But his debut in Toronto was brief—just three innings against the Orioles. He exited with a nagging thumb injury that has kept him sidelined since.

Notably, the Blue Jays were aware of the issue when they signed him, but they didn’t anticipate it surfacing so early in the season. This now casts uncertainty over what was expected to be a short-term, high-impact addition to their rotation.

Well, there is still hope with Scherzer. Jays Journal reports that he is on the road to recovery and is expected to return by mid-summer. A timeline that could be critical for the Blue Jays. If Toronto finds itself in the thick of a postseason race, his return could serve as a timely boost to a rotation in need of stability and leadership. But if the club continues to flounder, Scherzer’s comeback may mean more to other teams than it does to the Jays.

Manager Schneider said, “Max Scherzer threw 27 pitches off the mound today after throwing on flat ground. Not max effort yet, of course, and they still need to see how his thumb bounces back but good news. #BlueJays.” 

In that case, he could quickly shift from veteran reinforcement to valuable trade asset. One whose experience and playoff pedigree could tip the scales for a contender.

However, will Scherzer be a potential deal at 40? Before the injury derailed his debut, Scherzer showed flashes of vintage form during spring training. The 40-year-old right-hander posted an impressive 1.38 ERA with 18 strikeouts. This fuels optimism that he could anchor the rotation despite his age and mileage. So yes, it might be possible, but not before he goes big in the regular season.

The Blue Jays are traveling a rocky road

​As of April 30, 2025, the Blue Jays are navigating a challenging start to their season. Why? They hold a 13–16 record and are placing fourth in the American League East. Their recent performance includes a three-game losing streak, with notable defeats such as a 10–2 loss to the Red Sox on April 29.

The team’s struggles are evident in both pitching and offense. For instance, starting pitcher Bowden Francis allowed five home runs and seven runs in just three innings during the loss to Boston. Offensively, players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have shown flashes of their potential. However, the lineup has lacked consistency, contributing to the team’s negative run differential.​

In the bullpen, closer Jeff Hoffman has been a bright spot, recording multiple saves early in the season.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jays face a series against the Red Sox and the Guardians, providing opportunities to regain momentum. However, with the competitive nature of the AL East, the team will need to address both pitching and offensive inconsistencies to improve its standing. Trading Scherzer would open up a rotation spot. It gives the Blue Jays a chance to evaluate younger pitchers in their system, like Ricky Tiedemann, under big-league pressure. That kind of developmental exposure can pay dividends in future seasons.

A high-profile move like trading Scherzer signals a clear direction: a pivot toward the future rather than clinging to a fading 2025 campaign. That can also help manage fan expectations and shift the focus to 2026 and beyond. What do you think?