Cubs Acquire Kevin Gausman for Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene

Chicago lands veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, who owns 490 career splitter strikeouts, in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Chicago Cubs acquired 35-year-old right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday night in exchange for Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene. Gausman arrives in Chicago with a 5-10 record, a 4.38 ERA, and 127 strikeouts through the 2026 season. The veteran pitcher is currently in the final season of a five-year, $110 million contract and has produced 20.1 WAR during that span, ranking as the fourth-best pitcher in baseball over those five years.

In his final appearance for Toronto on Saturday, Gausman surrendered one run on nine hits across 5⅔ innings of work. Despite his season-long reliability, he has struggled over his last eight starts, pitching to a 6.47 ERA in that timeframe. His most difficult outing of the year occurred at Wrigley Field on June 19, where he allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks while lasting only two innings. The Cubs currently sit 6½ games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the standings as the Monday trade deadline approaches.

Pitching Profile and Postseason Experience

Gausman is the Statcast-era leader in strikeouts recorded via the splitter, totaling 490. Since 2021, he has logged the third-most innings of any pitcher in Major League Baseball. His repertoire is defined by a high-velocity fastball and changeup combination, though his breaking ball has historically been less effective. He brings significant October experience to the North Side, having pitched in 14 career playoff games with a 3.83 ERA. Last season, he was a key contributor to the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.

The right-hander joins a Chicago rotation that features Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. The Cubs also recently added left-hander David Peterson in a trade with the New York Mets. This influx of talent comes as the Chicago pitching staff begins to recover from a series of injuries. Gausman’s first start for his new club could occur as early as Thursday during a makeup game against his former team, the Blue Jays, at Wrigley Field.

Scouting the Prospects Heading to Toronto

To secure the veteran starter, Chicago traded 24-year-old outfielder Brett Bateman. A 2023 eighth-round draft selection, Bateman was slashing .312 through 81 games with Triple-A Iowa at the time of the deal. Joining him in the Toronto system is 21-year-old infielder Ty Southisene. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Southisene maintained a .311 batting average while playing across two levels of Class-A this season. He also demonstrated significant speed on the basepaths, recording 31 stolen bases prior to the trade.

As an impending free agent, Gausman provides the Cubs with a frontline arm for the stretch run. His durability is highlighted by his high inning count over the last four seasons. While his recent 6.47 ERA suggests a slump, his career 3.83 postseason ERA makes him a targeted asset for a team chasing a playoff berth. The transaction was finalized just ahead of the league's Monday afternoon deadline, addressing Chicago's pursuit of a playoff-caliber starter.