Kevin Gausman’s name is in the trade-deadline conversation, but the Blue Jays starter isn’t trying to leave Toronto.
“I hope I don’t go anywhere. I don’t want to go anywhere.
That would be my wish, and that would mean that we’re playing good baseball. But I also realize it’s a business.
Whatever happens, it’s kind of out of my control.”
That’s where Gausman stands as the clock keeps ticking toward August 3, and the Blue Jays keep sliding. Toronto dropped another three-game series, this one against the Boston Red Sox on the road, and the loss pushed the club to 10 games under .500. It also extended the team’s run to four straight series losses, a stretch that has only sharpened the questions around what the front office should do at the MLB Trade Deadline.
At this point, the direction looks obvious: sell.
The reigning American League champions haven’t matched the expectations that followed them into the season, and with the standings now where they are, moving veterans on expiring contracts makes the most sense for the future. Gausman is one of the biggest names to watch. He leads Toronto’s current rotation, and dealing an ace is never a small decision, especially for a team that doesn’t need a full rebuild so much as a retool.
Still, Gausman’s stance has stayed consistent since his name started surfacing in deadline chatter. He wants to remain with the Blue Jays, but he also understands the reality of the situation. The business side may decide this one.
On the field, Gausman has logged a 4-10 record with a 4.51 ERA across 121.2 innings. He has struck out 123 batters, which ranks in a 25th-place tie, and his 1.27 WHIP ranks 45th. In Sunday’s start against the Red Sox, he worked six innings and allowed three runs and five hits while striking out six.
Even if Toronto were to sweep its upcoming series in Washington against the Nationals and then return to Rogers Centre for a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals, that wouldn’t necessarily change the bigger picture surrounding Gausman.
The Blue Jays have also revealed which teams he cannot be traded to under the terms of his contract, another sign that his name is very much in the mix as the deadline approaches.
In Other News...
Blue Jays Selloff Suddenly Puts Several Familiar Faces On The Block
The Blue Jays recent slide has put the front office in a familiar midseason bind, with the club drifting toward a deadline posture it probably hoped to avoid. If the slump continues, Toronto could shift from trying to patch holes to listening on players whose value, health and contract status make them more movable than they were a few weeks ago.
Shane Biebers last two outings have helped his case after a rough stretch, while George Springers contract clock is winding down and Daulton Varshos profile still gives contenders something to think about. Kevin Gausman adds another layer because of the complications attached to any potential deal, leaving Toronto with a handful of recognizable names and a deadline decision that could reshape the roster in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Prospect Shakeup Comes With One Worry Fans Can't Ignore
The Blue Jays latest Top-30 prospect refresh brought a little movement, but the biggest names stayed put at the top. JoJo Parker, Arjun Nimmala, Nolan Perry and Johnny King all held their spots, while the list around them shifted as Toronto continues to sort out which young players are truly on the rise and which ones still have more proving to do.
Perrys climb has been one of the more encouraging developments in the system, especially after the long road back from elbow surgery. Sean Keys and Charles McAdoo also moved up after brief major league looks, but the rankings carry a familiar bit of concern for Toronto fans, with Ricky Tidemann and Jake Bloss sliding after injury-hit seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Deadline Proposal Solves Two Needs But At A Real Cost
As the trade deadline approaches, the Phillies are said to be hunting for a right-handed bat and bullpen help, and one proposal has them aiming at Toronto for a pair of needs in one swing. The idea fits Philadelphias desire to tighten up defensively while adding another arm, while also pointing to the Blue Jays own unsettled outfield picture as a reason they might listen.
For Toronto, the appeal would be in the type of return, since rookie outfielder Justin Crawford is viewed as a high-upside piece with speed and room to grow. The catch is that moving a player with that kind of long-term value would mean giving up immediate big-league help, which is why the concept feels more like a deadline trial balloon than a deal with any real certainty behind it. [Read more 🡒]