Kevin Gausman’s name is back in the conversation for Toronto, and it’s not hard to see why. The Blue Jays parted ways with the veteran right-hander at the trade deadline this past season, sending him to the Chicago Cubs and closing the book, at least temporarily, on a run that meant a lot to the organization.
At 35, Gausman had become one of the most important pitchers in Blue Jays colors over the past few years, giving Toronto a steady presence at the front of the staff and earning a place as a fan favourite along the way. The Cubs brought him in as a rental on an expiring contract, but their stay in the Wild Card series ended quickly, and Gausman is now a free agent.
That has opened the door to a possible reunion. Given what he did for Toronto, a return would make sense on paper.
His first four seasons with the club were exactly the kind of production the Blue Jays hoped for when they signed him. He posted an ERA under 4.00 every year, won at least 10 games in each season and brought dependable workload value, making at least 31 starts and throwing at least 174 innings in all four campaigns. In 2023, he was also a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award.
This past season, though, was a different story. Gausman turned in his roughest year since arriving in Toronto, finishing 9-12 with a 4.51 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.
He allowed 89 earned runs, including 26 home runs, while striking out 184 batters across 177.2 innings. Those are still solid major league numbers, but they marked a clear step back from the level he had established with the Blue Jays.
That’s the question Toronto has to weigh now: is this regression the new normal, or can he still get back to the form that made him such a valuable piece in the first place? Age only complicates the picture. He’ll be 36 when the 2027 season begins, and if he’s aiming for a long-term contract, the Blue Jays probably won’t be in that market.
A shorter commitment changes the equation. If Gausman is open to a one-year deal along the lines of what former teammates Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer took, then bringing him back becomes much more realistic. A smaller deal would lower the risk and the expectations, which could work for both sides.
There’s also the retirement angle. Gausman hinted earlier this season that he might be nearing the end, and that could loom over any real negotiations.
Toronto, though, is already sitting on the makings of a strong rotation. Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and José Soriano give the Blue Jays a solid top end, and there are several internal arms in the mix for the back half, including Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis and Spencer Miles.
Still, 2026 made one thing obvious: you can never really have too much pitching. The real question is where Toronto wants to shop.
At the top, Tarik Skubal is there. In the middle, Freddy Peralta is an option.
Or the Blue Jays could look for a lower-cost addition like Gausman.
In Other News...
Former Blue Jays Outfielder Lands At Center Of Serious Fraud Allegations
A former Blue Jays outfielder has found himself at the center of a disturbing off-field case in Ontario, where police say a youth baseball program was used as the backdrop for a fraud scheme. Rich Butler and his wife Michelle have been charged in connection with money taken from families involved in the Ontario Devils Rays program, adding an uncomfortable twist to a name once familiar to Toronto fans.
The Durham Regional Police Service says the alleged losses came between April and October 2025, and investigators say the couple told families the program was declaring bankruptcy. Police say no bankruptcy filing was ever found, which leaves a troubling question hanging over what happened to the roughly $60,000 taken from the group and how the case will unfold from here. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Trade Idea Would Solve One Problem But Not Another
The Blue Jays are again being linked to an offseason search for an everyday outfielder, and the fit is easy to see. Toronto wants more consistency in the lineup and a player who can help on both sides of the ball, which is why Cleveland outfield defense and on-base skills have come up as a possible match for what the roster needs.
There is even a familiar trade path between the two clubs, which only adds to the speculation. Still, the bigger question is whether a deal like this would address the Blue Jays' shortage of reliable production without creating a different kind of roster headache, since any realistic pursuit comes with layers beyond just plugging one hole in the outfield. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Could Solve A Bigger Pitching Question With One Lefty
A left-handed reliever with the kind of recent track record Adrian Morejon has built in San Diego would fit neatly into a Blue Jays bullpen that has been searching for more stability and balance. Morejon has been consistently effective in a late-inning role, and for Toronto, the appeal goes beyond just adding another arm to the relief group. He could help the club better match up in the highest-leverage spots while also giving the front office more flexibility as it sorts through the broader pitching picture.
What makes the fit especially interesting is that one strong bullpen addition can ripple into bigger roster decisions. If the Blue Jays believe Morejon can handle a meaningful role, it could shape how aggressively they pursue other pitching help and how they map out the rest of the staff. The question now is whether Toronto is willing to pay the price needed to get into a real bidding war for a pitcher who could solve more than one issue at once. [Read more 🡒]