Cubs’ Kevin Gausman Sends Retirement Message After Blue Jays Exit
Veteran pitcher Kevin Gausman, known for his durability, was recently traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. This move came after Gausman anchored Toronto's rotation and helped them reach the World Series last year. Despite the emotional departure and ongoing speculation about his potential retirement after this season, Gausman sent a heartfelt message to Toronto fans. On the "6ix Inning Stretch" podcast, he stated, "This isn't goodbye," vowing to return to the city even after his playing career ends. Now 35 and in the final year of his contract, Gausman, who holds a 5-10 record and 4.38 ERA this season, is focused on helping the Cubs in their postseason push. His deep connection to Toronto remains, even as he embarks on this new chapter.
For more than a decade, Kevin Gausman has built a reputation as one of baseball's most durable and respected starting pitchers. From his early years with the Baltimore Orioles to his standout stretches with the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, Gausman has emerged as the kind of veteran starter who can anchor a rotation.
That made this latest trade deadline one of the most emotional moments of his career. After spending several seasons as a key part of Toronto's pitching staff and making a run to the World Series last year, Gausman was sent to another new team while questions about his long-term future continued to follow him.
Despite the speculation surrounding his next chapter, Gausman made it clear that his connection to Toronto is not ending.
During an appearance shared by 6ix Inning Stretch podcast, the veteran right-hander addressed his future after leaving the Blue Jays and pushed back against the idea that his departure represented a final farewell.
“This isn’t goodbye,” Gausman said. “I plan on coming back, even when I’m retired, whenever that is. I’ll be around, so don’t be surprised if you see me around Toronto.”
Though Gausman has bounced around the major leagues, it seems like he’s interested in making a permanent home in Toronto. And the message carried some extra weight as he has openly speculated about ending his career after this ongoing season.
“I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Gausman said of retiring in the winter, Mitch Bannon" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7056415/2026/02/19/blue-jays-kevin-gausman-retirement-possiblility/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">according to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon. “I have really loved my time here. Do I know what’s ahead of me? I don’t really know. No idea. It’s something that I have definitely thought about in the offseason.”
For now, however, Gausman remains focused on competing.
The Chicago Cubs acquired the veteran starter from Toronto as part of their deadline push, adding another experienced arm to a rotation with postseason aspirations.
“Gausman, 35, who is in the last year of a five-year, $110 million deal, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 23 starts this season,” ESPN reported. “He was acquired from Toronto on Monday in exchange for Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene.”
The move ended an impactful Blue Jays tenure for Gausman, who helped the franchise reach the 2025 World Series while growing his reputation as one of baseball's most reliable workhorses. He has made at least 31 starts and thrown at least 174⅔ innings in each of the previous five seasons, highlighting his remarkable consistency.
Gausman's immediate focus will be helping Chicago chase a championship, but his message to Toronto fans made one thing clear: whenever his playing career eventually ends, he expects his relationship with the city and organization to continue.