The Cubs have acquired Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Blue Jays, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Mitch Bannon. Toronto will receive minor league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene in return, Bannon writes.
The move provides a big-name answer to the Cubs’ pitching quest, as Chicago has been linked to seemingly just about every available starter on the market. A swath of rotation injuries sparked this extensive search, and the Cubs have already brought David Peterson and Aaron Civale into their pitching mix in separate deals within the last six weeks.
Gausman is a clear upgrade over their targets, as Gausman gives Chicago a pitcher who can plugged right into a potential playoff rotation — perhaps even as the Cubs’ top starter. The veteran right-hander has 14 games’ worth of playoff experience over his career, including a 2.93 ERA over 30 2/3 innings last postseason during the Blue Jays’ trip to the World Series.
Coming off that pennant run, moving Gausman at the deadline was just about the last thing the Jays expected for the 2026 season. However, Toronto’s underwhelming season has bottomed out with a 13-21 record over the team’s last 34 games, leaving the Jays in seller mode and looking to reload for 2027. Gausman is a free agent after the season and was therefore a natural trade chip, though a reunion between Gausman and the Jays wouldn’t be unexpected given how the pitcher has talked so glowingly about his time in Toronto.
More to come…
