The Toronto Blue Jays signed Kevin Gausman to be their ace, handing him a five year deal worth $110 million to have him front their rotation. It was a deal that was a bit of a gamble; for all of his success in San Francisco, he had been a middling starter at best elsewhere. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays had confidence that his success would carry over.
Gausman’s first month in Toronto could not have been any better. He was the first player in MLB history to strike out at least 30 batters without allowing a walk or a home run. It would be virtually impossible to ask for a better start than that.
Kevin Gausman has been what Toronto Blue Jays hoped for
The Blue Jays had high hopes coming into the 2022 season. Continued development from their lineup made it likely that the offense would be even more potent this season. Adding Yusei Kikuchi and having Jose Berrios locked in to a seven year deal only made the Blue Jays more formidable on paper.
While Toronto entered Sunday’s action in second in the AL East, it is not the way they would have expected. Kikuchi and Berrios have struggled to live up to expectations. Cavan Biggio has been injured and ineffective when in the lineup. Both Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk have disappointed as well.
Gausman, however, has been everything the Blue Jays had hoped for thus far. He and Alek Manoah have been the 1-2 punch that Toronto has needed, with the veteran Gausman appearing as though he can replicate that All Star showing from last year. Although he is bound to give up a homer or ten and walk a few batters this season, Gausman has made an impressive first impression with the Blue Jays.
The Toronto Blue Jays were hopeful that Kevin Gausman would be the ace they were hoping for. His historic April shows they may have been right.