Max Scherzer shows up to Blue Jays spring training camp with Texas Rangers gear

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The Blue Jays gave future hall of famer Max Scherzer a big bag of money to join the team earlier month – but apparently a bag wasn’t part of the actual deal.

Scherzer showed up to Blue Jays training camp in Dunedin on Thursday, but many were quick to note the team gear that he was walking into the facility with was that of his previous team, the Texas Rangers.

While the shade of blue was pretty similar to Toronto’s, the red and white lettering that said “Texas” was pretty unmistakable.

Perhaps he didn’t have time to get some shopping done at the team’s store before arriving at camp? After all, the ink is barely dry on Scherzer’s contract with the Jays.

The 41-year-old righty only officially signed his one-year, US$15.5-million deal with the team less than two weeks ago as what likely will be the team’s final big off-season addition.

Many fans on social media were quick to point out Scherzer’s gear gaffe, while also asking why the team hadn’t hooked him up.

“C’mon Max, you should have a generic bag somewhere,” one user wrote on X.

“Can we get this guy a new bag please & thank you?” another replied.

“Why the Texas bag? Did he forget what team he’s playing for?” a third user commented.

Of course, the next time that Scherzer was spotted in a social media post, the team had rectified the situation, outfitting their newest signee in full uniform.

“’Give Mad Max some Blue Jays gear’ Here you go,” the team wrote with a winking emoji, while posting a picture and several video clips of Scherzer pitching at the training complex.

“But does he have a bag?” a user on X was quick to joke in reply to the post.

Scherzer likely has his fair share of gear from different teams across his 17-year career. The eight-time all-star has pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and the Rangers during his illustrious career.

Scherzer has won three Cy Young Awards and two World Series – including the 2023 championship with the Rangers.

Over the course of his career, Scherzer has an ERA  of 3.16 and a record of 216 wins with 112 losses.

During the 2024 season with Texas, he was only able to make nine starts due to injury, going 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. 

It should also be noted that Scherzer was wearing the No. 31 for the Jays, the same number that he repped with Texas, Washington and the Dodgers.

Last week, Scherzer said that he chose to sign with the Jays because he believes they can a “championship-calibre team.”

“I still feel I can pitch at a high level, compete at a high level and be a part of a championship-calibre team,” Scherzer said during an introductory Zoom call with reporters. “I love to win. Winning cures everything. All you need to do is wake up in the morning and have that drive to win and the rest kind of takes care of itself.

“I love being able to go out there and pitch. That’s what makes it fun.”