TORONTO, ON – March 26 Opening day pitcher Kevin Gausman speaks to the mediaThe Toronto Blue Jays held their media day at the Rogers Centre in MLB baseball action ahead of their home opener on Friday.March 26 2026 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the season with high expectations after capturing the American League pennant. Instead, the season came and went without a playoff berth, and the team opted to do some buying and selling at the trade deadline.
One of the candidates of the poor season was Kevin Gausman, an All-Star with the team in 2023 who was dealt to the Chicago Cubs in August.
Though the Cubs acquired Gausman with their own sights set on the playoffs, Chicago’s postseason run ended abruptly with a Wild Card round loss at the hands of the San Diego Padres.
“After a season defined by extreme highs and lows, the Chicago Cubs played from behind in all but one inning and were swept in a National League wild-card series against the San Diego Padres with a 4-1 loss Wednesday night,” Meghan Montemurro reported for the Chicago Tribune. “Four Cubs pitchers — Kevin Gausman, Daniel Palencia, David Peterson and Ryan Zeferjahn — kept the Padres in check enough to give the offense a chance. This team was built around offense and defense, and the bats never came alive in a disappointing performance.”
The loss brought Gausman’s short Chicago chapter to an end, returning him to free agency after a challenging year with both the Blue Jays and his latest team.
Chicago Cubs Free Agent Kevin Gausman Sends Toronto Blue Jays Message After ‘Tough Year’
Gausman did not hide how difficult it was to leave the Blue Jays. During an interview with the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, released last week, he acknowledged the complicated emotions surrounding a season that saw him exit a franchise where he had established deep personal and professional roots.
“A lot of great moments, not so great moments and (this) year was a really tough year to be a part of,” Gausman said during the interview.
That sentiment also helped frame a more direct message about his time in Toronto, which raised some optimism about the idea that he might return with a new contract for next season.
“I had been in Toronto for so long and so comfortable with the organization, it was my second home,” Gausman added. “We had a home. It was hard to leave, to be honest.”
Gausman originally joined Toronto on a five-year, $110 million contract before the 2022 season and became one of the most dependable members of the Blue Jays’ rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays Face Uncertain Offseason After Kevin Gausman’s Chicago Cubs Exit
By dealing Gausman for prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene, Toronto was effectively acknowledging that its immediate competitive window was closed and that it wanted to reset for the future.
For Gausman, meanwhile, the Cubs provided another chance to chase a championship, though it was a short-lived attempt.
Now that Chicago’s season is over, Gausman’s comments offer a reminder of what Toronto lost when it moved on from one of its most accomplished pitchers.
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