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Kevin Gausman will go down as one of the best signings in Blue Jays’ history
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Photo credit: © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Cynthia Ryley Delaney
Oct 31, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 30, 2026, 00:24 EDT
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The 2026 season was an end of an era of sorts for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Game 162 was a bitter sweet one. George Springer reached with a single + error, getting pulled from the game to a standing ovation. Max Scherzer lasted in the game for much longer, hurling a gem in what could be his final start of a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
Kevin Gausman didn’t get that type of send off, at least not when it should have happened. Before the 2026 trade deadline, Gausman was shipped to the Chicago Cubs for Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene, ending the tenure of one of the best signings in Blue Jays history.

Gausman is one of the best signings in franchise history

Gausman, Springer, and Hyun Jin Ryu marked a new age of the Blue Jays being main players in free agency. Gausman was the last of the three to sign, agreeing to a five-year deal. To say he had big shoes to fill would be an understatement, as he was replacing 2021 American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in the rotation.
He filled those shoes and more. Alek Manoah finished as a finalist for the AL Cy Young in 2022, but Gausman was right there with him. Over 174.2 innings of work, Gausman finished the season with a 3.35 ERA and 2.38 FIP, with a 28.3 K% and 3.9 BB%. The following season, Gausman finished as a finalist for the award after posting a 3.16 ERA and 2.97 FIP in 185 innings of work, with a 31.1 K% and 7.2 BB%.
By the 2024 season, Gausman relied more on contact for outs, but he was still effective. His 2024 season wasn’t great relative to the past two seasons, as he finished with a 3.83 ERA and 3.77 FIP in 181 innings of work. The K% regressed to 21.4%, while his BB% remained relatively the same, a 7.4 BB%.
But Gausman bounced back in 2025. As a whole, the righty finished with the season with a 3.59 ERA and 3.41 FIP in 193 innings of work, with a 24.4 K% and 6.5 BB%. That doesn’t tell the whole story though, as he was terrific in the second half.
From June 26th until the end of the season, Gausman had 2.78 ERA and 3.02 FIP in 107 innings of work. A lot went right for the Blue Jays from June onward, but Gausman’s performance was reminiscent to his 2022 and 2023. He was a big reason why the 2025 Blue Jays went on a run like they did. 
In his four and some seasons with the Jays, he had no better start than his start on September 11th, 2025. Facing the Houston Astros, he threw nine scoreless innings, giving up two hits, a walk, and striking out nine for a Fangraphs’ game score of 96, the highest GSv2 he finished with in his Jays’ tenure.
Gausman pitched well in the postseason as well, finishing with a 2.93 ERA and 4.21 FIP across 30.2 innings of work. The half inning before George Springer’s famous three run blast in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Gausman entered in relief and kept the game at 3-1. He earned the win.
The first four seasons were absolutely worth the contract, but it’s still fair to say his 2026 was disappointing.
It actually started off great, as Gausman struck out 11 over six innings of one-run, one-hit ball on Opening Day. His next start on April 1st was even better, striking out 10 while allowing just two hits in what turned out to be a no decision. After that, things went downhill.
From April 7th until August 1st, a day before he was traded, Gausman owned a 4.76 ERA and 3.80 FIP, with a 21.2 K% and 7.2 BB%. Even when you account for his first two games, 2026 was the worst season of Gausman’s tenure, finishing with a 4.38 ERA and 3.51 FIP across 127.1 innings of work.
On August 2nd, the Blue Jays traded Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for Brett Bateman and prospect Ty Southisene. Bateman instantly became a fan-favourite on the Jays, while Gausman’s struggles continued in the National League Central.
Gausman and the Cubs bowed out in the National League Wild Card Series, with Gausman starting the decisive Game 2.
What’s next for Gausman is unclear, but from interviews, it’s clear that he loved his time in Toronto and he’ll surely be open to coming back. The good news for him and the Blue Jays is that they’ll need to acquire a #4 in the rotation this off-season, a role perfectly suited for Gausman.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.
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