While it’s impossible to predict how a player will perform next season, the writing is on the wall for some more than others.
Here are four pitchers the Blue Jays would be wise to avoid during their free agent shopping this winter.
Ranger Suarez
The former Philadelphia Phillies left-hander has posted a sub-3.50 ERA in each of the past two seasons despite giving up a ton of hits and base runners. He owns a 1.270 WHIP and 8.3 K/9 over his eight-year career. These are numbers you would expect from someone at the back of the rotation, not someone you plan to pay $25 million annually.
The Blue Jays would be better off spending big money on a starting pitcher with higher upside, ideally someone capable of taking the ball in game one of a playoff series.
Ranger Suárez, nasty 82mph slider. 😨
Ryan Helsley
The right-hander was too hittable, despite averaging 90 miles per hour with his fastball. He coughed up eight home runs and gave up the highest hits per nine innings (9.8) of his career by a wide margin. He also walked 11 batters in those 20 innings in New York.
Helsely’s days as an elite reliever may be in the rearview mirror — the Blue Jays would be wise to let him take care of his issues elsewhere, especially since the free agent market this winter features a ton of high-powered backend arms.
Zac Gallen
He missed some time in 2024, but then struggled to a 4.83 ERA (89 ERA+) and 4.50 FIP over 192 innings pitched. For the first time in his career, he struck out fewer than one batter per inning, while giving up as many as 31 home runs.
Gallen’s command, strikeout potential and ability to limit hard contact are all heading in the wrong direction. The Blue Jays should stay away.
Max Scherzer
The 41-year-old threw just 85 innings in 2025 while dealing with several injuries and was a shell of his former self when he took the mound. He gave up 19 home runs in that small group and posted the worst ERA (5.19) and FIP numbers (4.99) of his legendary career.
Max Scherzer’s wife Erica shared her family’s appreciation for Toronto and Canada on social media following the Blue Jays’ World Series loss. 💙 (H/T @emaysway /IG)
Scherzer’s courageous playoff performance will forever live on in Blue Jays lore. Keeping it because his last moments with the team are in everyone’s best interest.
PRESENTED BY VIVID CHAIRS
#pitchers #avoid #Blue #Jays #offseason