Blue Jays reportedly trade Kevin Gausman to Cubs
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded starting pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs, signaling a sell-off at the MLB trade deadline months after they took the Dodgers to extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Mitch Bannon reported the trade on Sunday, hours before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. In return, according to the report, the Blue Jays will receive outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty, both prospects.
The move in part cements a season of disappointment for the Blue Jays, who started 2026 with hopes of competing for the AL East title and returning to the postseason. Instead, they've entered the stretch run in last place in the division at 52-60with long-shot hopes of competing for a wild-card spot.
Whether the Blue Jays would be sellers at the deadline or hold steady for a shot at the postseason was unclear before the All-Star break. But they lost five of their first six games coming out of the break, including three to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Gausman is playing on the final season of a five-year, $110 million contract. He was a prime candidate for a deadline deal to a contending team seeking a contributor with an expiring contract.
A two-time All-Star, Gausman isn't at his peak form at 35 years old. But he's been a reliable starter for much of his career, including this season as one of MLB's leaders in starts and innings pitched.
Gausman provides the Cubs with a mid-rotation option days after they designated veteran Jameson Taillon for assignment.
Taillon, 34, was in the midst of a career-worst season with a 5.92 ERA and 25 home runs allowed. Chicago traded Taillon to Toronto in a separate deal earlier Sunday for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Taillon pitched 76 innings for the Cubs this season, and his departure left Chicago with a hole in their rotation. Gausman slots in for what the Cubs hope is an upgrade for the stretch run and a probable postseason appearance.
The Cubs leave a 2-1 loss to the Yankees on Sunday at 63-49, in control of first place in the NL wild-card standings with a four-game cushion over second. They’re 6.5 game behind the Brewers for first place in the NL Central.
Per MLB Pipeline, Southisene ranked as Chicago’s No. 13 prospect, and Bateman rated at No. 21. Neither are in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 overall prospects.
