The 2026-27 MLB offseason is underway with several notable developments involving veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, free-agent first baseman Ty France, and Taiwanese reliever Jyun-Yue Tseng.
Scherzer to test arm in lockout games
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, 42, will participate in "lockout games" this offseason to determine whether he will continue his career, according to the New York Post. The collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, and players are organizing workouts to stay sharp during a potential lockout. Scherzer made 18 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, posting a 5.74 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts over 84.2 innings. He finished the season with seven strikeouts in seven innings of one-run ball in Game 162. Scherzer sits ninth all-time with 3,557 career strikeouts, three behind former teammate Justin Verlander.
Multiple teams pursue Ty France
Free-agent first baseman Ty France, 32, is drawing interest from several clubs after a career year in 2026. France batted .295 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI, and 59 runs scored while providing strong defense at first base. He was ranked the 23rd-best free agent this offseason and the second-best available first baseman. Potential suitors include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres. Given the current scarcity of right-handed power, France could command a multi-year contract.
Fubon Guardians post Jyun-Yue Tseng
The Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League have posted right-handed reliever Jyun-Yue Tseng for MLB teams, per the Associated Press. Tseng, 25, has until Dec. 22 to sign, though a potential lockout effectively moves the deadline to Dec. 1. He saved 25 games with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings this past season. Tseng's fastball typically sits in the mid-90s and has touched 100 mph, though his secondary pitches need development for him to become more than a middle reliever in the majors. He previously pitched for Chinese Taipei in the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classics.
