The Chicago Cubs made a significant addition to their starting rotation Sunday night, acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene.
The deal, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Mitch Bannon and later confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, gives the Cubs a proven, innings-eating starter as they push for a playoff berth. Gausman, 35, is in the final year of the five-year, $110 million contract he signed with Toronto before the 2022 season and will be a free agent after the year.
Gausman brings a lengthy track record of durability and postseason experience. In 23 starts this season with the Blue Jays, he is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA over 127 1/3 innings, striking out 127 batters while walking 36. His underlying numbers remain solid — a 3.51 FIP — and he has continued to miss bats with his signature splitter while maintaining solid command. He has thrown at least 170 innings in each of the previous five full seasons and posted a strong 2.93 ERA across six playoff appearances (five starts) in 2025, including quality starts against the Dodgers in the World Series.
The Cubs (63-49 entering Sunday’s action) sit second in the NL Central, 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, and have been searching for rotation depth and reliability ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. Adding Gausman provides another veteran arm alongside Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and others as Chicago looks to lock down a Wild Card spot or close the gap in the division.
In return, Toronto receives two prospects from the Cubs’ system. Bateman, a left-handed hitting outfielder drafted by Chicago in the eighth round in 2023 out of the University of Minnesota, has shown strong on-base skills and elite speed and defense. The 24-year-old was hitting .309/.428/.421 with three home runs and 20 stolen bases across Double-A and Triple-A this season and ranked among the higher-end defensive outfielders in the organization.
Southisene, a 21-year-old right-handed hitting infielder selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, has performed well at High-A South Bend. He was batting .333/.459/.381 with 20 stolen bases in 209 plate appearances this year, showing advanced plate discipline and contact ability for his age. The undersized but high-IQ shortstop/second baseman offers speed and defensive versatility.
For the Blue Jays, who sit well out of contention in the AL East, the move continues a shift toward the future. Gausman had been one of the more attractive rental starters available, and the package of two controllable young players with tools fits a seller’s approach.
The trade strengthens Chicago’s pitching staff at a critical juncture. Gausman’s ability to work deep into games should help ease the burden on the bullpen, while his experience in high-leverage October environments adds a valuable piece as the Cubs try to secure postseason baseball for the second straight year. Pending physicals and roster formalities, Gausman is expected to join the club shortly.
