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‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it’: Kevin Gausman unsure about 2027 future with Cubs eliminated from post-season
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Photo credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Thomas Hall
Oct 2, 2026, 15:30 EDTUpdated: Oct 2, 2026, 15:32 EDT
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It’s still unclear if Kevin Gausman will return next season or announce his retirement this winter.
Any decision the two-time All-Star makes will ultimately need to wait until he and his wife, Taylor, discuss what’s best for their family moving forward. After playing 14 seasons in the majors, including four and a half with the Toronto Blue Jays, the 35-year-old needs to determine if it’s time to become a full-time dad to his two daughters.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Gausman told reporters in San Diego when asked about his playing future. “I need to sit down, talk with my wife and figure that out. I’ve been doing this a pretty long time, so my kids are only getting older. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Gausman isn’t the only former Blue Jay needing to decide whether he’ll continue playing in 2027 — both George Springer and Max Scherzer, each soon-to-be free agents, have also announced they’ll make that call at some point in the coming months.
Based on the sport’s CBA-related lockout looming, how quickly a new agreement can be reached between all 30 owners and the MLB players’ union could play a role in those decisions.
In the midst of a disappointing 2026 campaign, the Blue Jays traded Gausman’s expiring contract to the Chicago Cubs ahead of this past season’s trade deadline on Aug. 3, receiving a pair of prospects — outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene — in return. In nine regular-season starts with Chicago, the veteran right-hander posted a 4.83 ERA and a 21.9 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) over 50.1 innings.
Gausman also started Game 2 of the Cubs’ NL wild-card series against the Padres, allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits and zero walks, recording just one strikeout in their season-ending defeat.
“It’s always tough leaving a group, saying bye to guys,” Gausman said. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of heartbreak in this game, and you’re really only happy if you win at all. I haven’t been to that point yet, but I really thought this team had a chance.”
If Gausman ultimately retires, he’ll deservedly walk off into the sunset with more than 2,000 career innings and strikeouts, 100-plus wins and a lifetime sub-four ERA in his time split between the Orioles, Braves, Reds, Giants, Blue Jays and Cubs.
However, if he decides to return, there’ll surely be considerable mutual interest regarding a reunion with Toronto.

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