The Jays are going to face the Dodgers on 25 October 2025 for World Series Game 1. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer, whose intensity and fire have fueled John Schneider’s team this season, is going to enter free agency, and speculation about his next step has begun to make buzz.

Scherzer’s future is now at a point of interaction amid a groundbreaking shift in MLB. The Giants made history by getting Tony Vitello, the first-ever manager straight from college baseball. Even if not an elite hire, Vitello and Max Scherzer go long back, as the Jays star played under Vitello at Missouri two decades ago.

Now, fans and insiders are thinking that a reunion between Scherzer and Vitello could be possible. Dani Wexelman fueled the speculation on X. “What are the odds Max Scherzer signs with the Giants in the offseason to play for Tony Vitello who’s a close friend AND the guy who helped recruit him to Mizzou!” And no one can deny the link.

And Scherzer himself has not stopped admiring the Giants manager. Speaking to Ken Rosenthal, the Jays star praised Vitello. “It’s the competitiveness. It’s the fire. It’s the intensity. And it’s the communication skills. He makes it so relatable… He was perfect for me when I was in college. Mizzou was my ground zero where I really took off and his fingerprints are all over that.”

Vitello has played a vital role in developing Max Scherzer into the star he is today. Mad Max even credits his 2004-06 tenure at Missouri for his attention to detail and prep methodologies. “(I remember) the atmosphere. My teammates, how competitive they were, learned a lot from the upperclassmen, coaching staff, how hard you had to work and strength staff. There was attention to detail, be on time every time or you’re going to wear it,” Scherzer recalled.

The Giants’ President of Baseball Operations, Buster Posey, relied on this skill of Vitello when deciding to make a deal with the longtime college coach.

Now, as the Jays’ star is getting prepared for his World Series run, the timing could not be more dramatic. The right-hander, three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star, could be joining the Giants and reuniting with Vitello.

The Jays could be on the edge, losing their trusted star and winning the World Series.

While Scherzer’s speculative reunion with the Giants manager has fueled offseason speculation, the Jays star still has some unfinished business.

Scherzer is focusing on a historic World Series feat that could cement his legacy

At 41, Max Scherzer stands by the entrance of history. If he carries the Blue Jays to their first World Series title in over three decades, he will become just the second pitcher in the history of MLB to win the ring with three different clubhouses. He previously won World Series championships with the Nationals in 2019 and the Rangers in 2023. 

As High Heat Stats noted, “Scherzer could pitch in the World Series with his fourth different team, and could win the World Series with his third.” That statement itself is enough to echo his consistency and longevity.

It has been a season of retrieval for the three-time Cy Young winner, who fought injury setbacks before coming to help Toronto down the stretch. His resilience and leadership have sparked a thriving locker room, with team members feeding off his intensity. 

Even manager John Schneider is heavily dependent on Scherzer’s presence.

“We want to try to operate as normal as possible, but if situations pop up, I think everyone will be available,” Schneider told MLB.com, admitting Scherzer’s critical role in their Game 7 ALCS win over Seattle. The veteran was later seen celebrating enthusiastically in the franchise, a sign that, despite the rumors, his aim remains fully on winning the World Series.

Whether his upcoming chapter unrolls in San Francisco or stays in Toronto, Scherzer’s is on the hunt for one final ring that could define not only his career but also how Toronto remembers one of the cutthroat competitors ever to wear their uniform.