Blue Jays trade two-time All-Star Kevin Gausman to the Cubs for prospects

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gausman-kevin/xS7yw9Ic/"]Gausman[/a], 35, is tossing a 4.38 ERA through 23 starts this season after making his final start with the Jays on Saturday. He is only one of three pitchers to toss more than 900 strikeouts with a sub-3.75 ERA since 2022.[/p][embed guid="29fad6c4-3450-4be1-b126-94f21a93729b" url="https://x.com/MitchBannon/status/2084083044026036436?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]But the veteran made sure to go out on a high note for the home fans after giving up one run through 5.2 innings of work in his final start. He was met with a loud standing ovation as he walked off the mound in Toronto wearing a Blue Jays uniform for what was the final time. [/p][p]After a rough five-and-a-half years to start his career with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/baltimore-orioles/EcZwBi3N/"]Orioles[/a], Gausman found his footing during the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-francisco-giants/bRZ9b6xj/"]San Francisco Giants[/a] before becoming a key starter and a fan-favorite for the Blue Jays. [/p][embed guid="25323f8c-c0bb-47f9-b148-37207b2a5c55" url="https://x.com/BlueJays/status/2083662846248747274?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Gausman's run in Toronto ends[/h2][p]In 2023, Gausman led the American League with a career-best 237 strikeouts paired with a 3.15, ultimately finishing third in AL Cy Young Award voting. Throughout his first 11 years in the league, Gausman had yet to toss a complete game or a complete game shutout.[/p][p]Then he recorded a complete game shutout in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025. [/p][embed guid="81b92686-d84c-4d95-b7ce-202c61c9d730" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPAYmR2gvY&pp=ygUjS2V2aW4gR2F1c21hbiBjb21wbGV0ZSBnYW1lIHNodXRvdXQ%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p]Gausman cemented himself in Blue Jays history as he went into Saturday's game ninth in starts, sixth in ERA, seventh in strikeouts, and second in strikeout rate. [/p][p]Manager Dan Schneider said that Gausman was one of the best free agent signings in the franchise's history ahead of his final start with the club.[/p][embed guid="6a800d6c-089d-4b5a-bf53-bc884fc039a7" url="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2083615159793164448?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Blue Jays' return[/h2][p]Bateman, 24, is currently tearing it up in AAA this season. The outfielder is slashing .312/.431/.422 with three home runs, 33 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 81 games. [/p][p]Meanwhile, Southisene, 21, is also having a great year in the minors. The infielder is currently hitting .311 with an .809 OPS that includes a .431 on-base percentage. [/p][p]Southisene, not known for power at all, doesn't have a single home run this season. But he has 35 RBI, 31 stolen bases, and more walks (41) than strikeouts (37) in 65 games between High-A (43) and Single-A (22).[/p][infobox id="3e982646-21d3-4baf-ac34-10f731dff476" /]