MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Suitors For Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman At Deadline

 

It won't be easy, but the Toronto Blue Jays are going to have to say farewell to their ace of the last half-decade. With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Jays in dead last in the AL East, and Gausman a pending free agent, it's really the only smart decision. 

If Tuesday night was his final start as a Blue Jay, it wasn't a good send-off. Just 3 1/3 innings, nine hits, four earned runs, and now a 4.51 ERA on the season.

Kevin Gausman on the potential this was his last home start with the #BlueJays

"I'm not going to think about that too much. I'm a Blue Jay right now and the focus is this team, this room and those guys. That's where my mind is at right now. That is kind of crazy to think about."

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 22, 2026

The veteran starter thought it was "crazy" to think about being elsewhere come August. "I'm not going to think about that too much. I'm a Blue Jay right now and the focus is this team, this room and those guys. That's where my mind is at right now. That is kind of crazy to think about."

Kevin Gausman could be wearing another uniform in a few weeks... pic.twitter.com/OY1ytyY4os

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 20, 2026

But it seems like a near certainty that they will try to get some assets for him, and we'd be remiss if we didn't have a look at the top three suitors for Gausman on the trade market. 

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are a prime candidate to make a push for Gausman. With Brandon Woodruff lost for the rest of the season, they'd love to add a veteran starter with some playoff chops. Gausman was one of the Jays' most reliable arms in last season's World Series run, making six appearances, five of them starts, and posting a 2.93 ERA, allowing just 17 hits in 30.2 innings with a 0.91 WHIP. Adding him to the duo at the top of the rotation with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison would make the Brew Crew a tough out in the postseason.

Atlanta Braves

Nothing would please Alex Anthopoulos more than if he could borrow from his old franchise (that spurned him) to help lead the Braves to another World Series title. Atlanta has patched together a top 10 pitching staff in the majors even while their rotation has been riddled with significant injuries this season. But adding Gausman would be some terrific insurance for the postseason.

Chicago White Sox

In the American League, no contender could use a veteran, playoff-experienced starting pitcher like the Chicago White Sox. Davis Martin, after a red-hot start, has hit some bumps in the road over the past couple of months, while Sean Burke has remained excellent throughout the season, but he's young and has zero postseason experience. Gausman could be a mentor for those two, while bringing a proven playoff hand to their top three.