Toronto Blue Jays could have beloved starting pitcher headed for trading block
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Victor William
Feb 17, 2026 (1:20 PM)
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Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Kevin Gausman might actually be traded this summer and it could be exactly the bold move the franchise needs.
Losing Bo Bichette in free agency leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the diamond. The front office knows they cannot just sit still and wait.
Every management group has to prepare for the worst-case scenario. A slow start to the season would force the brass to make some very tough decisions.
Sometimes you have to sacrifice a fan favorite to secure the future of the organization. The return package for an elite starter could restock the farm system overnight.
Kevin Gausman (Age 35, Drafted Round 1, 2012 by Baltimore) remains one of the most dominant arms in the American League. His devastating splitter is still an absolute nightmare for hitters.
He posted a 10-11 record with a sparkling 3.59 ERA last season. He also racked up 189 strikeouts and carried the pitching staff on his back.
But the harsh reality is that his contract expires at the end of next year. You simply do not want to lose a premium asset for absolutely nothing.
A massive trade opens the door for new stars
We all feel sick to our stomachs thinking about seeing our ace wear another uniform. The guy has been an absolute warrior for this city since day one.
But a desperate contending team will happily overpay for a frontline starter at the deadline. We are talking about acquiring two or three elite prospects in one blockbuster swoop.
Moving his massive salary also gives the front office incredible financial flexibility going forward. They could immediately pivot and extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the next decade.
Creating a sustainable winner requires making these painful and highly calculated moves. The Los Angeles Dodgers refresh their talent pool like this every single year.
John Schneider has built a resilient clubhouse culture that can survive any roster transition. The young guys are hungry and ready to step up into bigger roles.
If the season starts poorly, pulling the trigger on this deal accelerates the entire rebuild. It gives the fanbase a brand new core of top-tier talent to cheer for.
This is not about giving up on the current group of players. This is about making sure the competitive window stays wide open for years to come.
The front office must be entirely ruthless if they want to build a true dynasty. Let the summer chaos begin.
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