The Blue Jays came into this season with World Series expectations. Instead, they’re sitting at 39-44 in late June, and that’s got people wondering if they’ll actually sell at the deadline.
Most teams this far under .500 would already be shopping their veterans. But Toronto made the World Series last year, which makes the idea of selling feel almost unthinkable.
Almost.
According to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, the Blue Jays could move Kevin Gausman by the August 3 trade deadline if they’re still below .500 in late July. And based on how things have gone so far, that’s looking pretty realistic.
“However, if they still find themselves south of .500 in late July, it could behoove them to start looking ahead to 2027, which would mean shopping their pending free agents,” Harrigan writes.
Here’s the thing – Toronto’s still technically in the postseason hunt thanks to a weak American League. But that cushion won’t last forever.
If the AL Wild Card field starts improving while the Blue Jays keep struggling, they could find themselves in seller mode come August. And Gausman would be the headliner.
The timing makes it complicated. Gausman’s only under contract through 2026, so he’s exactly the kind of pending free agent you’d expect teams to move. But Toronto’s expectations were so high coming into the season that selling still feels like admitting defeat.
Even though Gausman’s 4.36 ERA isn’t his sharpest work, contenders would line up for a 35-year-old right-hander with his track record. The return could be solid if the Blue Jays decide to pivot toward 2027.
It’d sting to sell pieces after reaching the World Series last year. But from a franchise-building perspective, getting prospects for Gausman might beat watching him walk in free agency.
There’s even a path where Toronto trades him and then re-signs him this winter. They get the prospect package and get Gausman back when they’re ready to contend again.
The way Harrigan sees it, if the Blue Jays are still below .500 come late July, Gausman’s probably gone. It’s hard to argue with the logic – he’d be worth more in a trade than letting him walk.
What makes this interesting is how quickly things can change. The AL’s weak enough that Toronto could still make a run. But if they don’t, selling Gausman starts looking like the smart play, World Series hangover or not.
