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The New York Yankees are on fire this season. With a strong 35-20 record, they’ve pulled ahead by seven full games over their closest rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, in the American League East. What was supposed to be a tight, nail-biting race between division teams is starting to look like a one-sided runaway, and the Yankees are in full control.
But here’s where things could get even more interesting: with the trade deadline coming up, the Yankees might benefit if some of their division rivals decide to give up on the season and start trading away players, especially if they’re willing to deal with the Yankees.
One of those potential trade partners? The Toronto Blue Jays, who are currently in third place and eight games behind the Yankees. Toronto hasn’t had the season they hoped for, and if things don’t turn around soon, they might shift into “seller mode.” And that’s where a juicy rumor comes in.
Could Max Scherzer Become a Yankee?
Jake Elman, a writer for Athlon Sports, thinks there’s a wild but intriguing option on the table: Max Scherzer, the legendary 40-year-old pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner, might be a good fit for the Yankees.
Now, Scherzer plays for the Blue Jays, and he’s had a tough time staying healthy. Thumb problems, back pain, shoulder issues, you name it, he’s dealt with it over the last year. He’s only pitched in 10 games since last season. So yeah, it’s a gamble.
But Elman says if Scherzer is healthy by the time the trade deadline comes around, the Yankees could make a move. His contract is short (just one year at $15.5 million), and at his age, he likely wouldn’t cost the Yankees any of their top prospects. Elman suggests they might even get him in exchange for someone like Gage Ziehl, a fourth-round pick from 2024.
That’s not bad when you consider the upside: if Scherzer can stay healthy and take the mound during the playoffs, he could be a serious weapon. He’s known for his fire, intensity, and ability to come up big in clutch moments — exactly what the Yankees might need if they want to make a deep postseason run.
It’s still early, but the Yankees are clearly in a strong position. If they can convince teams like the Blue Jays to sell, and especially sell to them, this already impressive team could become even more dangerous.
Max Scherzer in pinstripes? Sounds wild. But in baseball, wild things happen all the time. Don’t count it out just yet.