Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman’s no-trade list includes eight teams

By Ethan Gagnon — 23 July 2026 — 3 min read

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman has an eight-team no-trade list that includes several contenders, according to a report on Wednesday. The teams on this list are the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Athletics.

Despite this list, most teams that might be interested in acquiring Gausman are still able to do so. Three of the teams on Gausman’s no-trade list—the White Sox, Brewers, and Pirates—held playoff spots as of Wednesday.

Blue Jays’ Current Situation

Gausman has emerged as a potential trade candidate as the Blue Jays have fallen in the standings. The Toronto team holds a 46-55 record and is six games out of a wild-card spot. This comes after a six-game losing streak leading into their Wednesday night game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 35-year-old right-hander is in the final season of a five-year, $110-million contract. He has a 4-9 record, a 4.51 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP this year. This season marks a downturn for Gausman, who has typically been a reliable pitcher.

In his first four seasons of the deal, Gausman made at least 31 starts each year, consistently posting an ERA under 4.00.

Potential Trade Scenarios

The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Blue Jays, currently nine games under .500, appear to be sellers. While a rapid turnaround is always a possibility, the team’s situation suggests they will be looking to make trades ahead of the August 3 deadline.

One potential deal discussed involves Gausman moving to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Brooks Caple and outfielder Brett Bateman. Caple is Chicago’s third-ranked rotation prospect, who has posted a 3.15 ERA in High A and Double A this year. Bateman, an outfielder, is currently posting an .861 OPS at Triple A and ranks as Chicago’s 18th prospect.

Even with the team committed to selling, the Blue Jays might not trade Gausman. He has often spoken about his and his family’s enjoyment of living in Toronto, and he could be considered for an extension at the end of the year. However, if a trade does occur, the Blue Jays would need to secure a valuable return.

Playoff-calibre starting pitchers, especially those with a proven track record of success, tend to bring in multiple top-15 organizational prospects. The Cubs are seen as a suitable fit due to their need for rotation assistance.

Other potential trade scenarios for the Blue Jays include sending Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho to the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Justin Crawford. Crawford, a 22-year-old with five years of team control remaining, possesses game-breaking speed but has not yet translated it into elite outfield play. Hoffman previously played for the Phillies in 2023 and 2024, and Varsho’s father and namesake both played for the team.

Another proposed trade involves Sean Keys going to the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Brenton Doyle. Doyle, who had a 3.9 WAR season two years ago, has lost his centre-field job in Colorado due to injuries and is hitting .207. He is under team control through the 2029 season.

George Springer could potentially be traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Jojo Ingrassia. Springer, who has 10 years in MLB and over five with Toronto, has the right to veto all trades. Ingrassia is Boston’s 30th-ranked prospect and has a 3.51 ERA in 12 appearances in High A this year.

Additionally, Shane Bieber could be traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder/outfielder Ryan Vilade and pitcher Joe Boyle. Vilade, acquired by the Rays in November, has found a role as a utility player, hitting .270 with an .806 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season. Boyle, currently in the minors, is a 6-foot-8 right-hander with a 97 mph fastball.

Source: sportsnet.ca