The Toronto Blue Jays turnaround in 2025 was the story of the year in the MLB.
The Blue Jays finished the 2024 season with a 74-84 record, the worst in the American League East. Toronto won the AL East in 2025, going 94–68 before making a run to Game 7 of the World Series. The Blue Jays would ultimately be defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7.
Toronto hoped to make another run at the postseason in 2026, but the start of the regular season has been less than ideal. There has been some drama in the clubhouse amid an 8-13 start.
The Blue Jays are the bottom of the AL East and 4.5 games back from the New York Yankees before entering Monday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Angels.
David Schoenfield of ESPN suggested the Blue Jays could be open to trading starting pitcher Kevin Gausman if the team continues to struggle before the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
“It seems unlikely, but factor in all the injuries and some of the surprising performances in 2025, and it’s not out of the question that the Jays just have one of those down years — similar to 2024,” Schoenfield wrote. “If that’s the case, Gausman could be the biggest target at the deadline.”
Gausman, 35, has been with the Blue Jays since 2022. He’s made All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2023. He was the AL strikeout leader in 2023 when he recorded 237 strikeouts. He made the All-MLB Second Team in 2021 and 2023.
Through five games this season, Gausman has an ERA of 2.54 and a record of 1-1. While trading the right-handed pitcher would be drastic, it could allow the team to bring in young talent for a future run at the World Series if the current team is a bust.
April is not the time to make such a decision. However, Toronto must start putting some wins together soon if they want any chance of playing postseason baseball.