Chicago Cubs acquire Kevin Gausman from Blue Jays

Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs acquire Kevin Gausman from Blue Jays

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Alex Patt | Last updated Aug 2, 2026 11:46 PM ET

Per multiple reports , the Cubs are acquiring starting pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays. Gausman, 35, is a 14-year veteran who has pitched for the Blue Jays, Orioles, Giants, Braves, and Reds. He sports a career 3.85 ERA, 1.2 WHIP, 3.59 FIP, 2,081 strikeouts, and 2.5 BB/9 in 2,038.1 innings. Gausman has plenty of postseason experience as well, with 14 appearances and a 3.83 ERA in October.

The Athletic’s Blue Jays beat Mitch Bannon reports that the Cubs are sending two prospects back to Toronto, including OF Brett Bateman and INF Ty Southisene. MLB.com has Southisene as the team’s #13 prospect, and Bateman at #21.

Told the return is OF Brett Bateman and INF Ty Southisene. https://t.co/OuYNkHBUum

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) August 3, 2026

Cubs bolster their rotation with Gausman

Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) applauds the fans after being taken out of the game during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Cubs are getting a very durable starter in Gausman, who has made 345 starts in his career, making 30+ in eight seasons. He joins a staff that is currently without Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Ben Brown, and Edward Cabrera. The rotation will consist of him, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, and Cabrera when he returns. Colin Rea and/or Javier Assad can mix in at the bottom unless other moves are made.

This season has not been one of Gausman’s best, pitching to a 4.38 ERA and 1.3 WHIP in 23 starts. However, some of the peripherals will tell you he’s been a bit better than what the ERA says. His FIP is at 3.51 with an xERA (expected ERA) of 3.95 and xFIP (expected FIP) of 3.82. The command is still strong (77th percentile), and the whiff rate is better than average (63rd percentile). Gausman throws a 93-94 MPH four-seamer, splitter, and slider.

https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/2084088657007292491

Overall, this seems like a solid move for the Cubs. Gausman was one of the more notable rental names available in terms of starting pitchers. He’s not Tarik Skubal (to be fair, nobody is), but he came at a fine rental price with two prospects outside their top-10.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: