Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman on retirement after 2026: ‘It’s definitely a possibility’
The 2026 season is the final one of Kevin Gausman’s current contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, but could it also be his final season in baseball? Maybe.
The Jays ace tells The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon that he is contemplating retirement.
“I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Gausman told 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. But now that we’re here, I’m just focused on this year. I’m gonna give everything I have for this organization and this team this year. What’s beyond that? I really have no idea.”
The Centennial, CO native is entering the final year of a five-year, $110 million deal and it’s not hyperbole to say that Gausman has been one of the finest free agent signings in team history.
A two-time All-Star, Gausman cites more time at home as one of the reasons for contemplating hanging up his glove.
“My kids are only getting older,” Gausman said. “The more you push that envelope, the more you’re risking. What’s the positive? What’s the negative? Do I get home and really only have a couple more years of them even wanting to be around you?”
Gausman’s final appearance in 2025 came in Game 6 of the World Series with the Jays holding a 3-2 series lead. He was outdueled by Los Angeles Dodgers starter, and eventual World Series Most Valuable Player, Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a 3-1 loss. The defeat still haunts Gausman with his team going on to lose Game 7 in extra innings.
“I’ll think about Game 6 for the rest of my life,” Gausman said. “Specifically, Game 6. Playing at home, I had a chance to essentially pitch my team to a championship. I really took that personally and really wanted to do it. I really did. Going into Game 6, it was the most excited I’ve ever been to start a game.”
Despite being the team’s most consistent pitcher for the duration of his time with the Blue Jays, Gausman has not made an Opening Day start for the team. That could change on Mar. 26 when the team kicks off the 2026 campaign against the Athletics at Rogers Centre.
