MLB Trade Rumors: Proposed Deal Sends Kevin Gausman to Chicago Cubs
Kevin Gausman's days as a Toronto Blue Jay might be coming to a close. He doesn't want to admit it, but heading into free agency after the season, it only makes sense for the Jays, who are sellers at this trade deadline, to get some prospect capital back for one of the game's top pitchers of this decade.
There are a number of teams who could use a starter of his caliber down the stretch, particularly one with the type of playoff experience he has. One of those teams, the Chicago Cubs, has been labeled "a perfect fit" by Mitch Bannon in The Athletic.
His proposed trade would look like this:
Chicago Cubs receive:
- Kevin Gausman, SP
Toronto Blue Jays receive:
- SP Brooks Caple (AA), Cubs No. 8 prospect
- OF Brett Bateman (AAA), Cubs No. 21 prospect
The Cubs are certainly in dire need of rotation help, with injuries having ravaged their staff this season. And aside from that, being able to roll out a veteran who has proven his playoff chops in a postseason series would be key. Gausman posted a 2.83 ERA in 30 innings during last season's run to the World Series.
Caple, a 6'6" right-hander, is projected as a mid-rotation arm with a five-pitch mix. He could arrive in the majors as soon as next season. The Jays' starting staff will be in need of new blood, with Gausman, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer free agents, and Jose Berrios set to miss most of the season recovering from Tommy John.
Bateman could be the heir apparent in center field to another pending free agent Daulton Varsho. Bateman, 24, is a contact hitter who knows how to find holes and beat out hits with his elite speed. That quickness also allows him to steal bases, and run down balls in the gaps in center.
Two top 20-ish prospects is right in the wheelhouse of the type of return that teams can expect of a high-end two-month rental like Gausman. We took a look at three other potential landing spots for the two-time All-Star, though his eight-team no-trade list could come into play there.
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