The Toronto Blue Jays flat-out whiffed on expectations in 2026, and now they might be staring down a totally wild reunion just to patch up their rotation. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly is reporting that it would not be a shocker if the Blue Jays are interested in signing free agent pitcher Kevin Gausman, who they *traded away* earlier that same year. Yeah, you read that right.
Vladdy Couldn’t Hit and The Season Went Sideways
Honestly, 2026 was a total nightmare for the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a super disappointing year at the plate, not even hitting his first home run at home until September. Seriously, September! That pretty much tells you how things were going. At the trade deadline, they tried to walk a tightrope, dealing away guys who were about to hit free agency while trying to grab players they could keep through 2027 and beyond. One of those “impending free agents” they shipped off was right-hander Kevin Gausman, who was a fan favorite after spending parts of five seasons with the club and earning two All-Star nods. They sent Gausman packing to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene. Gausman’s numbers before the trade weren’t amazing: a 4.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and nine strikeouts per nine innings across 23 starts. But at least he was *there*.
The Pitching Staff Is Officially Torched For 2027
So, why are the Blue Jays potentially doing this bizarre dance with a guy they just traded? Because their pitching staff for 2027 looks like a disaster zone. Tim Kelly laid it out perfectly: they are losing Max Scherzer, Jameson Taillon, and Shane Bieber, who are all coming off the books this offseason. That’s three big names gone. Then, add injury to insult: Bowden Francis had Tommy John surgery in February, so he might not even be ready for Opening Day. José Berríos also went under the knife for Tommy John in May, which means he’s probably out until the second half of the 2027 season. And if that wasn’t enough, Cody Ponce tore his ACL in April and is coming back from major surgery. Seriously, what a mess! As Kelly put it, “The point is, the Blue Jays will need starting pitching depth heading into 2027. A one-year deal with Gausman would give them that, even if he’s no longer a top-of-the-rotation starter.”
Gausman: A Familiar Face For A Desperate Team?
Gausman is 35 now and definitely won’t be one of the top arms on the free-agent market. But when your rotation looks like a M*A*S*H unit, sometimes you just need a warm body who knows the clubhouse. The Blue Jays know his pitching style, they know the guy, and for a team absolutely starved for starting pitching depth, a one-year deal for a familiar face, even if he’s not an ace anymore, starts to make a weird kind of sense. It speaks volumes about how badly their 2026 season went and how unprepared they are for 2027, doesn’t it? It’s like they’re trying to put a band-aid on a gaping wound with a guy they pushed out the door just months ago.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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