Blue Jays sign Scherzer

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with RHP Max Scherzer on a one-year contract (US $15,500,000).

Scherzer, 40, made nine starts for the Texas Rangers this past season, posting a 3.95 ERA with a 5.6% walk rate, a 22.6% strikeout rate, a 29.2% whiff rate, and a 36.4% chase rate. The eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and two-time World Series champion ranks 2^nd among active pitchers in strikeouts (3416), innings pitched (2878.0), wins (216), and starts (457). Among the all-time leaders, Scherzer ranks 11^th in MLB history in strikeouts, as one of just 19 pitchers who have reached the 3000-career strikeout mark. His nine career seasons with 200+ strikeouts trail only Nolan Ryan (15), Randy Johnson (13), Roger Clemens (12), and Tom Seaver (10) for the most in MLB history. The right-hander from St. Louis, MO, was originally selected in the 1^st round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, making his MLB debut for the team in 2008. Across 17 MLB seasons with the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, and Rangers, he has gone 216-112 (.659%), posting the 7^th-highest winning percentage in MLB history (min. 1500 IP), with a 3.16 ERA, the 3^rd-lowest among active pitchers (min. 1500 IP), a 3.18 FIP, a 1.08 WHIP, a 6.5% walk rate, and a 29.3% strikeout rate.

Additionally, RHP Michael Petersen has been designated for assignment.