TORONTO, ON- JULY 21 – Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays leaves the mound after giving up three runs in the third inning as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre in Toronto. July 21, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Toronto Star via Getty Images
For more than a decade, Kevin Gausman has built a reputation as one of baseball’s most durable and respected starting pitchers. From his early years with the Baltimore Orioles to his standout stretches with the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, Gausman has emerged as the kind of veteran starter who can anchor a rotation.
That made this latest trade deadline one of the most emotional moments of his career. After spending several seasons as a key part of Toronto’s pitching staff and making a run to the World Series last year, Gausman was sent to another new team while questions about his long-term future continued to follow him.
Chicago Cubs Starter Kevin Gausman Sends Retirement Return Message To Toronto Blue Jays After Exit
Despite the speculation surrounding his next chapter, Gausman made it clear that his connection to Toronto is not ending.
During an appearance shared by 6ix Inning Stretch podcast, the veteran right-hander addressed his future after leaving the Blue Jays and pushed back against the idea that his departure represented a final farewell.
“This isn’t goodbye,” Gausman said. “I plan on coming back, even when I’m retired, whenever that is. I’ll be around, so don’t be surprised if you see me around Toronto.”
Though Gausman has bounced around the major leagues, it seems like he’s interested in making a permanent home in Toronto. And the message carried some extra weight as he has openly speculated about ending his career after this ongoing season.
“I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Gausman said of retiring in the winter, according to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon. “I have really loved my time here. Do I know what’s ahead of me? I don’t really know. No idea. It’s something that I have definitely thought about in the offseason.”
Chicago Cubs Add Veteran Arm After Toronto Blue Jays Departure
For now, however, Gausman remains focused on competing.
The Chicago Cubs acquired the veteran starter from Toronto as part of their deadline push, adding another experienced arm to a rotation with postseason aspirations.
“Gausman, 35, who is in the last year of a five-year, $110 million deal, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 23 starts this season,” ESPN reported. “He was acquired from Toronto on Monday in exchange for Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene.”
The move ended an impactful Blue Jays tenure for Gausman, who helped the franchise reach the 2025 World Series while growing his reputation as one of baseball’s most reliable workhorses. He has made at least 31 starts and thrown at least 174⅔ innings in each of the previous five seasons, highlighting his remarkable consistency.
Gausman’s immediate focus will be helping Chicago chase a championship, but his message to Toronto fans made one thing clear: whenever his playing career eventually ends, he expects his relationship with the city and organization to continue.
