{"id":802269,"date":"2026-08-04T09:25:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/802269\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T09:25:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:25:01","slug":"cubs-land-kevin-gausman-in-blockbuster-trade-with-blue-jays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/802269\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue Jays"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs<\/a> spent the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline searching for a starting pitcher capable of making a difference in October.<\/p>\n

They finally found one.<\/p>\n

Chicago is acquiring veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>, ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan reported Sunday. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Mitch Bannon were first to report the agreement.<\/p>\n

The players heading back to Toronto were not immediately revealed.<\/p>\n

The move gives the Cubs an experienced arm for the stretch run after the organization made upgrading its rotation a deadline priority. Although Gausman has not produced his best numbers this season, his track record and ability to miss bats make him a potentially significant addition.<\/p>\n

Kevin Gausman brings playoff experience to Chicago<\/p>\n

Gausman owns a 5-10 record with a 4.38 ERA across 23 starts this season. He has recorded 127 strikeouts and 36 walks over 127.1 innings while posting a 1.29 WHIP.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, a source tells to ESPN. The Cubs have sought a playoff-caliber starting pitcher all deadline, and now they’ve landed one. First on the news was @Ken_Rosenthal<\/a> and @MitchBannon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Those numbers may not immediately jump off the page, but Gausman has shown encouraging signs recently. The 35-year-old allowed only one earned run over 5.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> on Saturday. He surrendered nine hits but avoided major damage, issuing one walk and striking out four in Toronto\u2019s 5-1 victory.<\/p>\n

Gausman also worked six innings against the Boston Red Sox<\/a> in his previous start, allowing three earned runs while striking out six. Across his final two appearances for the Blue Jays, he recorded a 3.09 ERA with 10 strikeouts and only two walks in 11.2 innings. He joins Chicago with 385 major league appearances, including 345 starts. The two-time All-Star has compiled 2,081 strikeouts across more than 2,000 career innings while pitching for the Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, Atlanta Braves<\/a>, Cincinnati Reds<\/a>, San Francisco Giants<\/a> and Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

Gausman also has experience on the postseason stage. He has appeared in 10 playoff games during his career, including eight starts.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Dodgers close to acquiring Tarik Skubal in blockbuster three-player trade<\/a><\/p>\n

Cubs make their deadline intentions clear<\/p>\n

The Cubs entered Sunday with a 61-51 record after a 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees<\/a>. They remain firmly in the National League playoff race but needed another reliable starter to strengthen their chances of making a deep run.<\/p>\n

Gausman gives Chicago a veteran who can absorb innings, generate strikeouts and potentially start an important postseason game.<\/p>\n

He also arrives with another year remaining on the five-year, $110 million contract he signed with Toronto before the 2022 season. Gausman is scheduled to earn $23 million in 2027, meaning this is more than a short-term rental for the Cubs.<\/p>\n

For the Blue Jays, the trade signals a different direction. Toronto fell to 52-60 with Saturday\u2019s loss to St. Louis and entered Sunday 13.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> in the American League East.<\/p>\n

Rather than holding onto Gausman for another season, the Blue Jays elected to move one of their most accomplished starters and add to their future.<\/p>\n

The full return will ultimately help determine how the trade is evaluated. For now, however, the immediate message is clear: The Cubs believe they can contend this season, and they have added one of the most established pitchers available to help them do it.<\/p>\n

More MLB news:<\/p>\n

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