Overview
- The Blue Jays traded Gausman to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in exchange for prospects Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman, a move Toronto made as it acted as a seller at the early-August trade deadline.
- Gausman posted an emotional farewell on X thanking Toronto for the chance to represent Canada, and fans gave him a standing ovation in what became his final start for the Blue Jays.
- Teammates reacted visibly to the deal, with reports that players including Dalton Varsho and George Springer were reduced to tears on the team plane after the trade was announced.
- The Cubs plan to use Gausman as a short-term rotation upgrade: Chicago confirmed he will debut on the road in Kansas City on Friday rather than immediately facing his former team at Wrigley Field.
- Gausman is in the final year of a five-year, $110 million deal and arrives in Chicago as a pending free agent with a 5-10 record and a 4.38 ERA this season, giving the Cubs an experienced innings-eater for their wild-card push while Toronto prioritizes youth and future payroll flexibility.