Kevin Gausman has long been a fan favourite with Blue Jays supporters and the feeling has very much been mutual for the star pitcher, his wife Taylor and their young family.
But just because you know something is going to happen, doesn’t always soften the blow, it seems.
With the Blue Jays struggling to compete for a playoff spot this season and Gausman approaching free agency this off-season, on Sunday night Toronto traded the two-time all star to the Chicago Cubs in a deal that brought back prospects Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman.
While the trade has been expected for some time, it still rocked the Jays fanbase and the Gausman family, who had expressed their desire to stay in Toronto if possible.
Like her husband, over their five years north of the border, Taylor Gausman has embraced the team, the city and the country. On Monday, she shared a heartfelt goodbye after the trade this past weekend.
How did the Gausmans say goodbye?
“How do I even begin to sum up these last five years? It seems as though we just got here but have always been here at the same time,” Taylor began the post. “There aren’t words to express how grateful we feel to have spent the last 5 seasons as Blue Jays. Our babies have truly grown up in Toronto, becoming some of the biggest (little) Blue Jay fans and we have made some of the best memories we could have ever imagined while being here.
“Choosing Toronto really was the best decision we could have ever made.”
The video posted featured heartwarming clips of the family growing up and having good times around Rogers Centre over the years, set to Everything Hallelujah by Justin Bieber.
She also thanked the organization for everything it has done to make the Gausman family feel at home.
“Thank you to all of the Blue Jays staff for making it so easy to come to the field and feel at home, thank you to the fans for showing so much love not only to Kevin but to our whole family and all of the Jays year after year,” she wrote. “And more than anything thank you to the Blue Jay families over the years who have felt like our family and made our time here so special — it wouldn’t have been to same without all of you.
“Goodbye just seems too hard so for now it’s see you later.”
How did fellow Blue Jays WAGs respond?
The video certainly tugged on quite a few heartstrings — of Blue Jays fans and of her many friends among the team.
“Chicago just got one of the best baseball families!! Love you all so much!!” Erika Scherzer, wife of Max, commented.
“Love you guys :,))) Forever grateful for these years and the friendships that came with them,” wrote George Springer’s wife, Charlise.
“The girls being so little, grew up in Canada,” Shane Bieber’s wife Kara commented before adding “Love you so so much. So glad baseball brought us together.”
Claire Fulharty, wife of Jays reliever Mason wrote: “Gonna miss you guys so so much!!! Y’all really are the best! Chicago is so lucky.”
Marissa, the wife of former closer Jeff Hoffman — who also was traded before the deadline — also commented on the post, writing “Going to miss you guys like crazy but will always be your biggest fans!!!!”
While Marissa Hoffman has yet to post a similar farewell message to Blue Jays fans, she did share a message on her Instagram Story on Tuesday.
“Kinda chic to have friendships that survived you moving countries,” she wrote along with a clip of a sunset.
When will Gausman make his Cubs debut?
While the 35-year-old starter joined the Cubs on Sunday, his anticipated debut has yet to be announced by his new team.
Taylor also shared a video on her Instagram Stories on Monday night from the Cubs game against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, showing that the family is in Chicago.
Things could get very interesting on Thursday afternoon, though. The Cubs will host the Blue Jays for a matinee makeup for a game that was postponed earlier this season.
While David Peterson currently is listed as the probable starter, he has not been very strong this season and could cede his place in the rotation to Gausman.