Cubs acquire RHP Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays for 2 minor leaguers

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune on Aug 2, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs’ search for a starting pitcher has landed them a veteran with postseason experience.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman is heading to the Cubs, a source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune, in exchange for two minor leaguers, outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene.

Gausman, 35, gives the Cubs a proven big-league starter, even amid a slightly down year in Toronto. In 23 starts this season, Gausman owns a 4.38 ERA and 102 ERA+ over 127 1/3 innings. He’s in the final year of the five-year, $110 million deal he signed with the Blue Jays. In his last start with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Gausman held the St. Louis Cardinals to one run on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

If Gausman pitches on normal rest, he would be lined up to face his former team Thursday in the Blue Jays’ makeup game at Wrigley Field. That game was postponed due to weather on June 21.

The Cubs are banking on Gausman’s track record as a two-time All-Star with a 3.34 ERA and 124 ERA+ in his previous five seasons. They’re also getting a veteran with postseason experience as they look to make a deeper October run. He’s pitched in the playoffs in four of the last five years and made six postseason appearances last year for the Blue Jays (10 earned runs in 30 2/3 innings).

The Cubs and Blue Jays had teamed up earlier Sunday to send right-hander Jameson Taillon, who was designated for assignment Monday, to Toronto for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

While right-hander Edward Cabrera is nearing a return — he allowed three runs, two hits, two walks and struck out three in 1 2/3 innings Friday in his first of what likely will be three rehab starts — the Cubs needed reinforcements and should continue to look for pitching staff upgrades until Monday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Bateman, an eighth-round draft pick in 2023, has thrived in his first season at Triple A. The 24-year-old center fielder, rated the team’s No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline, posted a .312/.431/.422 slash line in 81 games for Iowa with 23 extra-base hits, 20 stolen bases and 33 RBIs. Bateman didn’t have a path to the majors this season given the Cubs’ depth at the position.

Southisene, ranked No. 13 in the Cubs’ system by MLB Pipeline, joined the organization as a fourth-round draft pick in 2024. He’s shown great plate discipline at High-A South Bend this season with a .459 on-base percentage. But Southisene, 21, doesn’t possess great pop; the middle infielder has yet to hit a home run through 156 games in his professional career.

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