Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman has an eight-team no-trade list that includes the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Athletics. This information was reported on Wednesday by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Despite this list, most teams that might be interested in acquiring Gausman are still able to do so, according to Rosenthal. 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 Performance
The Blue Jays are currently experiencing a downturn in the standings. The team holds a 46-55 record and is six games out of a wild-card spot. This follows a six-game losing streak leading up to their Wednesday night game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays lost 12-2 to the Rays, marking their sixth loss in seven games. This performance has led to discussions about the team potentially becoming a seller at the upcoming MLB trade deadline on August 3.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Blue Jays’ struggles are significant, particularly their offence. The team is currently last in the league in runs scored this year, averaging 3.96 runs per game. This contrasts with their performance in 2025, when they finished fourth in the majors with 4.92 runs per game.
In July, the Blue Jays have averaged 3.67 runs per game, scoring one or zero runs in six of 15 games, with a record of 6-9 for the month. Other teams in the American League have seen stronger performances, with the Boston Red Sox on a 14-game winning streak and both the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians winning seven of their past 10 games.
Gausman’s Season and Trade Prospects
Gausman, who is in the final season of a five-year, $110-million contract with the Blue Jays, is a pending free agent and has emerged as a trade candidate. He has a 4-9 record with a 4.51 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP this year. In Tuesday’s game, Gausman allowed five runs, four of which were earned, over 3.1 innings.
This season marks a change from his previous performance; in his first four seasons of the deal, he made at least 31 starts each year and maintained an ERA under 4.00. Olney noted that while Gausman has not performed as well this year, his experience could still attract interest from teams looking to bolster their rotation, such as the Chicago Cubs.
Olney also mentioned that Gausman’s contract could present a challenge for potential acquiring teams, as few would be in a position to take on his full salary. However, he suggested that this situation could open a dialogue between Gausman and the Blue Jays about a potential contract extension, similar to what occurred with Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals last year.
Other Potential Trade Options
Another veteran, George Springer, is also in the final year of his six-year deal with the Blue Jays, signed in 2021. Despite a challenging season at the plate, Olney believes Springer could still be valuable in a trade, particularly given the thin market for right-handed hitters. Springer’s batting line in July is .286 with a .536 slugging percentage.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen also offers potential trade assets. Pitchers Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers have shown strong performances. Varland, an All-Star, has a 1.08 ERA and 20 saves, while Rogers, at 35 years old, has a 1.61 ERA over 46 games. Both pitchers are under club control for multiple years.
Olney indicated that while teams like the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees might be interested in an expensive reliever like Varland, a deal with the Yankees is unlikely. However, teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies or the Atlanta Braves could be potential trade partners for bullpen arms.
The Blue Jays have not officially indicated their intention to sell at the trade deadline, according to Olney. However, he suggests that the team’s current performance, including being last in the majors in runs scored, points towards a clear path for the front office to engage in the trade market.
Tyler Rogers has two years remaining on his contract, valued at $24 million for those two years.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
