Kevin Gausman trade left Cubs and Blue Jays with unexpected post deadline irony

The Chicago Cubs made a pair of trades with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, the first sending Jameson Taillon to the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. The larger deal was completed at night as the Cubs landed their first starting pitcher ahead of today's deadline, landing Kevin Gausman in exchange for two prospects.

Before completing their trade for Gausman, the Cubs have already set their rotation for their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matthew Boyd will get the start on Monday night, followed by Javier Assad on Tuesday night (likely against Tarik Skubal), and Shota Imanaga on Wednesday afternoon.

That sets the stage for Gausman to make his debut on Thursday when the Cubs play, you guessed it, the Blue Jays. Gausman last started for Toronto on Saturday, giving up one run while scattering nine hits in just under six innings of work, and the Thursday start would line up with his schedule.

Making things even more ironic is that when the Blue Jays made the trade for Taillon, it's likely the two teams were aware that may have been another deal to follow. In other words, knowing they were about to trade Gausman to the Cubs, as a side bar, the Blue Jays agreed to pick up Taillon's remaining money because they knew they would need a replacement for the rotation.

Considering Gausman was lined up to start on Thursday, that means, as of now, there is a strong chance that Taillon is starting against the Cubs in his firs start with Toronto.

Kevin Gausman swapping places with Jameson Taillon creates odd irony after the trade deadline

As for when Gausman last pitched at Wrigley Field, with the Jays, it was earlier this season when the Cubs scored 16 runs against Toronto. In that start, Gausman gave up seven runs on seven hits and four walks in two innings of work.

The hope is that things are different for Gausman this time around, considering he is now playing in front of one of the best defenses in baseball.

Things could also change before Thursday. For instance, the Cubs are still hoping to add a controllable starting pitcher. The team they have most commonly been linked to are the Los Angeles Angels. Jose Soriano was scratched from his start over the weekend, and Reid Detmers is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday. If the Cubs were to trade for one of those two pitchers, there's a chance they would get the start on Thursday ahead of Gausman.

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