Cubs make another trade deadline splash with Blue Jays hours after Jameson Taillon deal

The Chicago Cubs are entering the day of the trade deadline with a new starting pitcher already under their belt. While the Cubs have been linked to a number of controllable starting pitchers ahead of the deadline, there first move was for rental. Hours after sending Jameson Taillon to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cubs made a second deal with Toronto, landing veteran starting pitcher Kevin Gausman.

In exchange, the Cubs are sending outfield prospect Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene to the Jays. Above all else, the Cubs had to walk way from the deadline with a starting pitcher capable of taking the mound for the team in October, and Gausman certainly checks that box.

Kevin Gausman is the very starting pitcher the Cubs had to have at the 2026 trade deadline.

Gausman started two World Series games against the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, and while the ERA has jumped to 4.38 this season, the underlying metrics suggest that he should have a strong finish to the year now that he's playing in front of the Cubs' defense.

As for those underlying metrics, Gausman's FIP is sitting at 3.51, suggesting there's been a decent amount of bad luck involved with his results this season. He's striking out over 23% of the hitters he's facing this year, and walking under 7%. Looking at his Baseball Savant page, most of the metrics match where he was last season when he posted an ERA of 3.59 across 193 innings pitched.

Gausman has also proven to be a workhorse over the course of his career, and this now gives Craig Counsell a starting pitcher capable of getting through the sixth inning with each start.

As for where the Cubs go next before the deadline on Monday evening, chances are they will remain in the mix for a controllable starting pitcher. Given that they were able to obtain Gausman without giving up any of their top prospects, that does leave space to find a potential path to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels or Seattle Mariners.

The Cubs also will be in the market for bullpen help. Again, this where there's a benefit to getting Gausman without giving up any prospect near the top of their system. They are left with flexibility with less than 24 hours to go before the deadline, and still a need to stabilize the pitching staff as a whole.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow