Blue Jays' $3M Max Scherzer gamble could turn into $10M in loaded high-risk incentives
· Yahoo Sports
Blue Jays' $3M Max Scherzer gamble could turn into $10M in loaded high-risk incentives originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays have spent the past few weeks searching for a back-end starter to support the frontline they assembled at the start of free agency. For a long time, veteran Max Scherzer’s name kept popping up in connection with a potential reunion, and the Blue Jays eventually began actively pursuing him.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
“The Blue Jays have maintained some interest in Max Scherzer throughout the winter, and talks between the two sides have become more serious over the past week, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. There’s no deal in place, and there are still other clubs hoping to sign the future Hall of Famer, but Toronto has apparently hastened its efforts to get the three-time Cy Young winner back to the Rogers Centre,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams wrote.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays successfully convinced Scherzer to agree to a surprisingly modest deal compared to his previous contracts.
“Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has agreed to return to the Toronto Blue Jays, a source confirmed to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Wednesday. The deal is for one year and $3 million, according to multiple reports,” ESPN wrote.
Scherzer had multiple teams interested, but ultimately, it was the Blue Jays who secured him. Perhaps the opportunity to return to Toronto was appealing, or it could have been the structure of the performance incentives offered.
“The performance bonuses in Max Scherzer’s one-year, $3M contract with the Blue Jays, according to a source: $1M each for 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145 and 155 innings. Maximum of $10M,” MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal posted.
The Blue Jays got the pitcher they wanted, and there is no doubt about that. While Scherzer had other offers, those teams likely wanted him to sign later in the season, which was the expected timeline.
However, it’s the incentives that likely convinced Scherzer to join the roster earlier than anticipated. Toronto knew they had to structure a unique deal to get him to agree, and they executed it perfectly.
More MLB news:
- Padres predicted to sign $10M 3-time Cy Young winner, 8-time All-Star, 2X World Series champion
- Braves reportedly lost bidding war to Mets for Cy Young-caliber arm, NL wins leader, 2X All-Star
- Dodgers' Dave Roberts gives concerning injury update on $182M 2X Cy Young winner, World Series ace
- Braves manager Walt Weiss proves he was the right hire with one simple Ronald Acuna Jr. move
- Dodgers' Dave Roberts makes Kyle Tucker lineup decision amid Freddie Freeman Spring Training debut
- Blue Jays reportedly attempting to reunite with 3-time Cy Young winner, 8-time All-Star
- Cubs sign struggling $2M World Series champion, Pete Crow-Armstrong takes NSFW jab at Dodgers
- Braves' Chris Sale receives $57M contract update after Spring Training start as retirement looms
- Braves predicted to make blockbuster trade for $100M Silver Slugger, Gold Glover, hometown hero
- Yankees predicted to make blockbuster trade for $100M Silver Slugger to add alongside Aaron Judge
- Blue Jays predicted to sign $10M 2-time World Series champion, 2-time Cy Young winner, 8X All-Star