MLB insider reports that SF Giants are presumed to reunite Tony Vitello with future Hall of Fame pitcher

On Friday, Buster Olney of ESPN added more fuel to the rumor that Max Scherzer will pitch for the SF Giants in 2026. He reports, “There is a presumption that [Max] Scherzer could pitch for his good friend and new San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello.”

MLB insider reports that SF Giants are presumed to reunite Tony Vitello with future Hall of Famer pitcher

As soon as Vitello was announced as the next Giants manager, the rumors connecting Scherzer to the Giants took off. Of course, this would be a reunion of sorts.

Vitello worked as the pitching coach while Scherzer threw at the University of Missouri. The two have remained close since then, with Scherzer being a vocal supporter of Vitello. 

Last season, Scherzer joined the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $15.5 pact. A return to Toronto seems unlikely now. 

Shane Bieber exercised his $16 million player option for 2026. Plus, the Blue Jays have been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, adding Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. 

The Giants expressed interest in Ponce, but were unwilling to meet his asking price. The Blue Jays almost have a surplus of starting pitchers, but teams can never have enough pitching.

While they could look to add more rotation depth, those moves will likely be around the margins. There is not enough room for a pitcher like Scherzer.

On the other hand, the Giants have a couple of sports to fill in the rotation. Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp are penciled in to the front of next year’s rotation. Hayden Birdsong, Blade Tidwell, and Trevor McDonald will be vying for rotation innings next spring. 

There is a lot of room to make additions, and the Giants have conveyed that they will be targeting more moderately-priced free agents. Scherzer fits that description, and is highly likely in the market only for a one-year deal. 

The 18-year veteran pitched to a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts for Toronto last season. He started Game 7 of the World Series, where he held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one earned run in 4.1 frames while departing with the lead. The Blue Jays were unable to hold onto that lead.

While Scherzer would give the Giants another veteran presence in the rotation, they need more than what he can offer at this stage of his career. The Giants believe their identity is pitching and defense, but it would be tough to view the rotation as a strength if Scherzer is in it.

Of course, there is a recent precedent for supporting the rotation with a future Hall of Famer. Justin Verlander was brought in on a one-year deal and was a pleasant surprise for San Francisco.