Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman has an eight-team no-trade list that includes several clubs currently in playoff positions, according to a report on Wednesday. The teams on Gausman’s list are the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Athletics. Despite this, most teams likely to be interested in acquiring Gausman are still able to do so.
Gausman has emerged as a potential trade candidate as the Blue Jays have fallen in the standings. Toronto currently holds a 46-55 record, placing them six games out of a wild-card spot. This comes after a six-game losing streak leading into Wednesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Gausman’s Performance and Contract Status
The 35-year-old right-hander has a 4-9 record with a 4.51 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP this season. This marks a downturn for the typically consistent pitcher, who is in the final year of a five-year, $110-million contract with the Blue Jays. In his first four seasons under this deal, Gausman made at least 31 starts each year, maintaining an ERA under 4.00 in each of those seasons.
Three of the teams on Gausman’s no-trade list—the White Sox, Brewers, and Pirates—were in playoff spots as of Wednesday’s games. This suggests that while he has some control over his destination, many contending teams remain potential trade partners.
The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Blue Jays are nine games under .500, indicating they may be sellers. Despite this, the team might not move Gausman. He has often spoken about his and his family’s enjoyment of living in Toronto and could be a candidate for a contract extension at the end of the year. If a trade does occur, it would need to be a significant deal for Toronto.
Playoff-calibre starting pitchers, particularly those with a history of success in October like Gausman, often command a return of top organizational prospects. The Chicago Cubs, for example, are reportedly in need of rotation help and could be a suitable fit. A potential mock trade scenario involves Gausman going to the Cubs in exchange for pitcher Brooks Caple (AA) and outfielder Brett Bateman (AAA).
Caple is ranked as Chicago’s third-best rotation prospect, known for his five-pitch mix, and has posted a 3.15 ERA across High A and Double A this year. Bateman, an outfielder ranked 18th in Chicago’s system, is currently achieving an .861 OPS at Triple A. Such a deal would provide the Cubs with a playoff starter and the Blue Jays with young talent that could contribute to the 2027 club.
Blue Jays’ Current Situation and Trade Deadline Outlook
The Blue Jays’ struggles this season have been notable, particularly their offensive performance. The team finished fourth in the majors in runs scored in 2025, averaging 4.92 runs per game. In contrast, they currently rank last in the league in runs scored this year, with an average of 3.96 per game. In July, the team has averaged 3.67 runs per game, scoring one or zero runs in six of 15 games, resulting in a 6-9 record for the month.
This offensive downturn is a significant factor in their current standing. Last season, the Blue Jays’ offence was strong during their postseason run, scoring five or more runs in 11 of 18 games before their elimination in the World Series. This year’s performance has led to speculation that the team will be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline on August 3.
Other potential trade candidates for the Blue Jays include outfielder George Springer. Springer, in the final year of a six-year deal, has the right to veto any trade due to his 10/5 rights. However, he grew up approximately two hours from Fenway Park, potentially making the Boston Red Sox an interesting destination if he were to consider a move. Despite a challenging season at the plate, Springer has shown improvement in July, hitting .286 with a .536 slugging percentage.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen also presents trade opportunities, with pitchers like Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers performing strongly. Varland, an All-Star, has a 1.08 ERA and 20 saves, while Rogers has a 1.61 ERA in 46 games. Both are under club control for multiple years. Additionally, Jeff Hoffman has shown improved performance, allowing only three earned runs over 16.2 innings in his last 17 outings since early June.
While the Blue Jays have not officially declared themselves sellers, their current performance and standings suggest a clear path toward making moves at the deadline. The team’s 12-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday marked their sixth loss in seven games.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
