Call to the pen
Fansided

Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays are a “finalist” in Kevin Gausman sweepstakes

By Noah Yingling

Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported on Saturday that free agent starting pitcher Kevin Gausman will likely agree to a new contract with a team “within the next 2 or 3 days.” Morosi also reported in a separate tweet that the Toronto Blue Jays are a “finalist” for Gausman.

Gausman, who will turn 31 in January, was projected by most people to get four years in a deal. However, with the market being hot and, seemingly, player-friendly thus far, Morosi also reported that Gausman is likely to get a five-year deal. MLB Trade Rumors actually predicted that Gausman, who they ranked as the #5 free agent this offseason, would get a six-year deal

The Toronto Blue Jays are a “finalist” for free agent starting pitcher Kevin Gausman

The Toronto Blue Jays definitely need some starting pitching this offseason so, for them, it’s a good thing that they are a “finalist” for Kevin Gausman. The Blue Jays did have the AL Cy Young Award winner on their team, Robbie Ray, but Ray himself is a free agent.

Currently, without Ray, the Blue Jays rotation would have José Berríos and Hyun-jin Ryu at the front of the rotation with Alek Manoah, top prospect Nate Pearson, and Ross Stripling bringing up the middle and rear. Stripling is more of a swingman who could either be a long reliever or a fifth starter, but he is better as a reliever who could provide the Blue Jays with some depth.

Gausman would provide the Blue Jays with an arm that could be great for them at the top of the rotation. Gausman has a lot of experience pitching in the AL East as he was with the Baltimore Orioles for parts of six seasons.

For the San Francisco Giants in 2021, Gausman was an All-Star for the first time in his career and he pitched to a 14-6 record with a 2.81 ERA in an NL-leading 33 starts. In 192 innings, he averaged 2.3 walks and 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings with a WHIP of 1.042 and a FIP of 3.00. He eventually came in sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting and 21st in NL MVP voting.

Next. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. wants more with the Jays. dark

Gausman would be the top free agent to come off the market thus far in the offseason. However, as the clock creeps toward December and closer to the CBA expiring, Gausman could be one of the last to sign before the CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on Wednesday night.

Home/MLB Rumors