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Cubs Land Cy Young Contender Gausman in Stunning Jays Trade
Cubs Trade for Veteran Starter Kevin Gausman to Boost Playoff Hopes
The Big News
The Chicago Cubs have made a major move before the trade deadline! They’re acquiring right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays. This gives the Cubs a proven, playoff-tested starter they’ve been searching for all season.
IMPORTANT POINT
This trade was first reported by The Athletic and confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Gausman is expected to join the Cubs immediately to help their push for the postseason.
Who Is Kevin Gausman? (ELI5 Version)
Think of Gausman like a reliable workhorse who shows up every 5th day to pitch deep into games. Here’s what you need to know:
The Basics
- Age: 35 years old
- Throws: Right-handed
- Status: Impending free agent (this is the last year of his contract)
- Current Season: 5 wins, 10 losses, 4.38 ERA, 127 strikeouts
Career Highlights
- 14 seasons in the major leagues
- Teams: Orioles → Braves → Reds → Giants → Blue Jays → now Cubs
- Career Record: 117 wins, 123 losses
- Career ERA: 3.85 (that’s pretty good!)
- Total Strikeouts: 2,081
- Playoff Experience: 8 career starts with a 3.83 ERA
What Makes Him Special? (His "Secret Weapons")
Gausman isn’t a pitcher who blows 100 mph fastballs past everyone. Instead, he’s mastered a two-pitch combo that confuses hitters:
1. The Fastball
- Throws it mostly in the strike zone
- Hitters know it’s coming but still struggle to hit it solidly
- Velocity has dipped slightly as he’s aged (normal for 35!)
2. The Splitter (His Signature Pitch)
- This is his money pitch — drops suddenly like it fell off a table
- Thrown mostly just below the strike zone
- Hitters swing at it thinking it’s a fastball… and miss
- Fun Fact: He has 490 career strikeouts with his splitter — the most in baseball since they started tracking this stat (Statcast era)!
3. The Slider (The "Chase Pitch")
- Used less and less over the years (down from 15% to 10% of pitches)
- Thrown low and away to right-handed hitters
- Not his best pitch, but helps keep hitters honest
Why Did the Cubs Want Him? (The "Value" Story)
Contract Context
- Signed a 5-year, $110 million deal with Toronto before 2022
- He outperformed that contract big time!
- Delivered 20.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) — that’s a metric for "how many extra wins he gave his team"
- Ranked 4th best pitcher in baseball during that span
- The Blue Jays got a bargain — he was worth way more than they paid
Durability King
Since 2021, Gausman has thrown the 3rd most innings in ALL of baseball. That means:
- He stays healthy
- He takes the ball every 5 days
- He saves the bullpen by going deep into games
- Perfect for a playoff push where every inning counts
What This Means for the Cubs (Step by Step)
- Immediate Rotation Upgrade → Gausman slots in as a top-of-the-rotation starter
- Playoff Ready → 8 career playoff starts means he won’t crumble under pressure
- Innings Eater → Takes pressure off younger pitchers and the bullpen
- Mentor Role → Can teach younger Cubs pitchers his splitter mastery
- Rental Player → He’s a free agent after this year — Cubs get him for the stretch run only
The Trade in Simple Terms
| Cubs Get | Blue Jays Get |
|---|---|
| Kevin Gausman (rest of 2024 season) | Prospects/Players (details TBD) |
| Playoff-tested starter | Future assets for rebuild |
| 3rd most innings pitcher since 2021 | Financial flexibility (contract off books) |
IMPORTANT POINT
The exact players going to Toronto haven’t been fully detailed yet, but the Cubs are clearly in "win now" mode — giving up future pieces for immediate help.
Summary
The Chicago Cubs just added a durable, playoff-proven veteran who specializes in one of baseball’s nastiest pitches (the splitter). While his numbers this year (4.38 ERA) don’t jump off the page, his track record, durability, and October experience make him exactly what a contending team needs down the stretch. He’s a "rental" for the rest of 2024, but if he pitches like he has for most of his career, this could be the piece that gets the Cubs into the playoffs.
FAQ
Why trade for a guy with a 4.38 ERA this year?
Great question! That number doesn’t tell the whole story. Gausman has been much better historically (3.85 career ERA), throws the 3rd most innings in baseball since 2021, and has elite playoff experience. The Cubs are betting on his track record, not just 2024.
What’s a splitter and why is Gausman’s so special?
A splitter looks like a fastball out of the hand but drops sharply at the last second. Gausman throws it better than anyone — he has more splitter strikeouts (490) than any pitcher since MLB started tracking this with high-tech cameras.
Is he too old at 35?
For a pitcher? Not necessarily. Gausman’s game relies on command and deception, not just raw velocity. His durability (3rd most innings since 2021) proves his body holds up. Many pitchers have great age-35+ seasons (think Zack Greinke, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer).
What happens after this season?
Gausman becomes a free agent. The Cubs get him for the playoff push only. They could re-sign him, but this is primarily a short-term rental to win now.
Did the Cubs give up too much?
We don’t know the full return yet! But for a team chasing a playoff spot, trading future potential for present certainty is usually worth it. The Blue Jays (out of contention) get younger/cheaper; the Cubs (in contention) get a proven winner.
