In Blue Jays franchise history, few players have embraced Canada and the city of Toronto like Kevin Gausman has — which makes it unfortunate that his time here may be coming to a close.
With the team struggling after last year’s magical run to Game 7 of the World Series, the Jays could begin looking towards the future as the MLB trade deadline approaches on Aug. 3.
And one of the players whose name has generated some hot-stove buzz from the AL East bottom-feeders is that of the veteran pitcher, who will be a free agent after this season.
While the 35-year-old righty has seen his numbers decline considerably this season — he has a record of 4-8 and ERA of 4.33 in 2026 — he was one of the team’s best players during the 2025 post-season, which a contending club likely would value.
What did Gausman say about trade rumours?
On Tuesday night against the Rays, Gausman was rocked early, giving up nine hits and five runs (four earned) while collecting just 10 outs in the eventual 12-2 loss.
After the game, the Colorado native was asked about that loss potentially being his last home start at Rogers Centre as a Blue Jay.
“I’m not going to think about that too much,” he said. “I’m a Blue Jay right now and the focus is this team, this room and those guys. That’s where my mind is at right now.
“That is kind of crazy to think about.”
Gausman also acknowledged that this season has been a frustrating one in the clubhouse after last year’s AL championship.
“I think we’re all frustrated. We know what this team can do and what it has done. It bleeds into that, for sure,” he said.
“Nobody wants to be in this situation that we’re in right now. It sucks because this is the same group of guys. It’s hard.”
The Jays have two more games remaining against the Rays on Wednesday and Thursday before heading out on a six-game trip through Boston and Washington.
Gausman currently is slated to start against the Red Sox on Sunday and then again when the team takes on the St. Louis Cardinals back at home on Aug. 1.
Where could Gausman be traded?
Whether or not he makes it back to Toronto as a member of the Blue Jays remains up in the air at this point, though.
In ESPN’s updated rankings of MLB trade deadline candidates on Tuesday, Gausman was ranked No. 19 by insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan.
They estimated that there is a 35% chance that the veteran will be traded, saying that the team has “given no indication they plan to deal Gausman,” before adding that the team’s ongoing struggles and the pitcher’s pending free agency could change that stance.
“As much as Toronto doesn’t want to chase its pennant run with a deadline sale, good organizations recognize that sometimes it’s not just your season, and it’s best to salvage what you can,” the insiders wrote.
As for teams that would be considered the best fits for Gausman, ESPN listed the White Sox, Braves, Twins, Rays, Cubs, Brewers and Orioles.
Interestingly enough, ESPN isn’t so sure that the Jays won’t be buyers at the deadline. On its list of the top 25 players, Toronto was listed as a “best fit” for 10 of them.