Toronto’s rapid slide in 2026 has pushed Kevin Gausman into the rumor spotlight. With the Blue Jays hovering under .500 and already nine and a half games behind the AL East lead, the right-hander could become a trade candidate if the club remains south of .500
Kevin Gausman didn’t used to feel like a question mark in Toronto. This time of year, with the Blue Jays sliding and the trade deadline approaching, the message sounds different—start planning for what happens if this season keeps slipping away.
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2026 season with towering expectations after making the World Series in 2025 and nearly knocking off the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. Instead. about halfway through the campaign. Toronto has a losing record and is hunting for answers with the month turning toward late July and the MLB trade deadline.
Gausman is at the center of the latest speculation. MLB.com’s report lays out the trigger point: if the Blue Jays “still find themselves south of .500 in late July. ” it would be time “to start looking ahead to 2027. ” which would mean shopping their pending free agents. That list includes Gausman, who is in the final season of a five-year, $110 million contract.
For the 35-year-old, the most recent stretch hasn’t been kind. MLB.com notes he’s had a rough month, posting a 7.62 ERA in June. This season overall, Gausman has a 4.36 ERA in 17 starts. The logic is straightforward: if Toronto decides to move him. his track record would make him “one of the most coveted starters on the market. ” MLB.com added.
The uncertainty around whether the Blue Jays will buy or sell reflects how far off the pace they are already. Entering Saturday’s action. Toronto holds a 39-43 record and has spent nearly the entire season under .500—an outcome that wasn’t expected after the club spent big money in the offseason to sign free agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease.
Despite the struggles, the Blue Jays haven’t vanished from postseason conversations. Toronto entered Friday “mere percentage points behind the Astros for the third AL Wild Card spot,” according to MLB.com. At this stage, the same report says the Blue Jays look more likely to be buyers than sellers. That picture could change quickly if losses keep stacking up.
By the time Saturday arrives, the picture in the American League East is harsher. Heading into Saturday, Toronto is nine and a half games out of first in the AL East. The Blue Jays are currently third in the division. Their next test comes against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
The season’s emotional whiplash is now part of the math: Toronto’s deep 2025 run raised hopes. but the current 39-43 record has the front office looking toward July decisions that could reshape everything—right down to whether Gausman stays in a Blue Jays rotation that has been searching for stability. or becomes the kind of valuable piece teams chase when the standings turn decisively.
Toronto Blue Jays Kevin Gausman MLB trade deadline 2026 season Dylan Cease AL Wild Card AL East World Series 2025
So basically they’re trading him because they’re losing. Shocking.
If they’re 9.5 games back and like under .500 then yeah, start rebuilding. I don’t even get why they’d wait till late July though. Just trade him now and save everyone the stress.
4.36 ERA in 17 starts… that’s not exactly ace guy numbers but MLB always makes it sound like he’s some super valuable commodity. Like does the other team know his June was 7.62?? Or are they just buying the name Kevin Gausman lol.
This article is confusing me because it says 2025 World Series expectations and then it’s already falling apart in 2026 like instantly. I keep hearing “shopping pending free agents” and I’m like isn’t the trade deadline the end of deals? Also $110 million for 5 years sounds like they’re stuck with him, so how could he be “most coveted” if they’re selling him? Guess Toronto just hates being good.