Blue Jays Get Bateman, Southisene From Cubs In Gausman Trade

Toronto trades Gausman to Chicago 

Blue Jays trade Kevin Gausman to Cubs for top prospects Bateman and Southisen.

Kevin Gausman dealt to Cubs As Blue Jays land prospects bateman and Southisene...

The Toronto Blue Jays dealt starting pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. In return, Toronto received prospects Brett Bateman, Chicago’s No. 21, and Ty Southisene, Chicago’s No. 13.

The 35-year-old Gausman posted a 4.38 ERA across 23 starts this year, with his last outing for Toronto coming on Saturday. Since 2022, he’s one of just three pitchers with over 900 strikeouts and a sub-3.75 ERA.

Told the return is OF Brett Bateman and INF Ty Southisene. https://t.co/OuYNkHBUum

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) August 3, 2026

The veteran did make sure to give the home crowd a moment to remember. He allowed just one run over 5.2 innings in his final start, and got a loud standing ovation walking off the mound in Toronto likely the last time in a Blue Jays uniform.

 

Gausman struggled through the first five and a half years of his career with the Orioles. He turned things around with the Giants in 2020 and 2021, then became a key starter and fan favorite after joining the Blue Jays.

A standing O for Gaus 🫶💙👏 pic.twitter.com/aGZWX3unys

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 1, 2026

Gausman’s Toronto Tenure Wraps Up With Dominant Stretch

In 2023, Gausman paced the American League with a career-high 237 strikeouts and a 3.15 ERA, a performance that earned him a third-place finish in AL Cy Young voting. Over his first 11 MLB seasons, he never threw a complete game or shutout.

That changed in Toronto. Gausman tossed a complete-game shutout in both 2024 and 2025.

Gausman left his mark in Blue Jays history, entering Saturday’s game ranked ninth in starts, sixth in ERA, seventh in strikeouts, and second in strikeout rate for the franchise.

Manager Dan Schneider called Gausman one of the best free-agent signings in team history ahead of his final start with Toronto.

What Toronto Gets Back For Gausman

Bateman, 24, is putting up big numbers in Triple-A this year. The outfielder is hitting .312 with a .431 OBP and .422 SLG, adding 3 home runs, 33 RBI and 20 stolen bases across 81 games.

"When you look back, it'll be one of the best free-agent signings this club has done."

John Schneider praises Kevin Gausman's impact in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/HBpqB5i5nY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 1, 2026

Southisene, 21, is also having a strong season in the minors. The infielder is batting .311 with an .809 OPS and a .431 on-base percentage.

Power isn’t part of Southisene’s game he hasn’t hit a homer in 2025. But he’s driven in 35 runs, swiped 31 bases, and has more walks than strikeouts with 41 walks to 37 Ks in 65 games split between High-A and Single-A.