Blue Jays trade Gausman to Cubs for two prospects on Aug 2

The Toronto Blue Jays traded veteran starting pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs on August 2, 2026, just ahead of Major League Baseball's trade deadline. In exchange, Toronto received minor league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene, both prospects from the Cubs' system.

The move signals a shift for the Blue Jays, who have fallen to last place in the American League East with a 52-60 record and are more than four games out of a wild-card playoff berth. Gausman, 35, is in the final season of a five-year, $110 million contract he signed with Toronto in December 2021 and will be a free agent after this season. Because he is ineligible for a qualifying offer, a trade was the Blue Jays' only avenue to secure a return for the impending free agent.

Gausman's final start for Toronto came on August 1 at Rogers Centre, where he earned a win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager John Schneider pulled him in the sixth inning specifically to allow the home crowd of 41,819 to give him a prolonged standing ovation. Gausman acknowledged the emotional moment, stating he tried to soak it in and appreciated the fans' gesture. Following the game, he expressed a desire to...