Toronto Blue Jays are expecting a lot from Max Scherzer's replacement
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Michael Rainone
Dec 6, 2025 (9:24 PM)
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Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays had a decent starting rotation last season, however this season they have Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage taking over for Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, plus Shane Bieber for a full year, and expectation of much better results is present with the Blue Jays.
Not only should the quality be better, but they should get much more production and quantity of starts with a young Yesavage and prime Cease.
Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation expect to raise several levels in 2026.
Richard Gueren of Jays Journal writes the expectations the Blue Jays carry for their pitching in 2026.
Being the biggest gap between them and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated them in the World Series, was pitching. Not that the Blue Jays pitching was poor, but it wasn't exceptional like the Dodgers.
"Ponce is coming over on a $10 million salary for 2026 while Cease is projected to make roughly $22 million on a heavily-deferred contract. For approximately the same cost as both Scherzer and Bassitt, the Blue Jays are unlocking more upside while maintaining a similar floor of production. In 2025, Bassitt & Scherzer combined to make $35.5 million, and produced 2.8 fWAR."-Gueren
The addition of Ponce is also intriguing, since he has levelled up his velocity significantly, and his changeup is miles better now. It'll be interesting to see how he performs against Major League hitters after returning back to North America from Korea.
"Ponce and Cease each posted a K/9 above 11 last season while the other two settled in around 8. Cease is still only 29 years old and has finished top four in Cy Young voting twice. To wit, Cease posted a healthy .323 BABIP and 3.56 FIP last season despite the elevated 4.55 ERA. Combine that with pitching in front of a porous Padres defense and the upside potential is high."-Gueren
There might be even more excitement surrounding the Blue Jays heading into next season, than there was this season. They have significantly improved their pitching situation, while maintaining their incredible hitting. The only thing they really have left to do is sign either Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette, and maybe make a couple more additions to the bullpen, and there's a World Series favorites on our hands.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 6|1302 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays are expecting a lot from Max Scherzer's replacement Will the Toronto Blue Jays pitching be significantly better next season than they had in 2025? | ||
| Yes | 1173 | 90.1 % |
| No | 129 | 9.9 % |
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