Nationals trade idea lands familiar fan favorite Cy Young winner from Blue Jays

Jun 10, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals are 52-51 on the regular season, a little under two weeks from the MLB trade deadline, and just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

This team could very well add some help in the form of a trade or two, with the bullpen being a major priority. But the Nationals could also look to upgrade the rotation, likely aiming for some cheaper additions.

The Athletic's Mitch Bannon proposed a trade idea for the Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays that would reunite Washington with beloved Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is a very fun trade deadline idea.

Nationals trade idea reunites with Max Scherzer in Blue Jays deal

"Bonus trade: Max Scherzer to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later," Bannon proposed.

This trade idea from Bannon wouldn't cost the Nationals much at all, as it'd cost just one prospect, and likely one outside of the top 30 within the farm system.

Reuniting with Scherzer in what's likely his last season in the Major Leagues would be pretty fun. Regardless of whether the Nationals push for a postseason spot or not, having their Cy Young-winning ace return to the team would be fun.

He won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019, posting a 2.40 ERA in six games and five starts across 30 innings of work. In seven seasons in Washington, he posted 39.1 bWAR with a 92-47 record, a 2.80 ERA, and 1,610 strikeouts in 1,229 innings of work.

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Scherzer not only spent the most time in Washington with the Nationals, but he was also pitching better there than he did anywhere else.

But this season, he has -1.0 bWAR with a 10.23 ERA in six starts for the Blue Jays. He's struggled in his 19th season and is currently on the injured list.

It wouldn't cost much at all for the Nationals to acquire Scherzer, but reuniting with the beloved franchise ace would be a fun storyline as they pursue a Wild Card spot in a tight National League race.

More MLB news:

• Braves injury update on Spencer Strider has execs ‘pessimistic’ about a 2026 return
• Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances
• White Sox have strong interest in Mets’ Clay Holmes with scout attending rehab assignment
• Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players
• Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver