Kevin Gausman trade grades: Cubs get an A as they land impact starter from Blue Jays

Key Points:

• The Chicago Cubs are acquiring veteran right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor-league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene, aiming to bolster their depleted starting rotation.
• Gausman, 38, is in the final year of a five-year, $110 million contract and was a key contributor to Toronto's 2023 pennant-winning team, finishing third in AL Cy Young voting; this season, he has a 4.38 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 127⅓ innings.
• The Cubs have faced significant injury challenges in their pitching staff but view Gausman as a reliable, experienced starter who can provide quality innings and stability, with plans to add more pitchers before the trade deadline.
• The Blue Jays, now sellers after falling behind in the AL wild-card race, received two mid-level prospects in return, with Southisene and Bateman fitting Toronto’s player development profile, marking a reasonable return for a veteran rental.
• The trade grades assigned are an A for the Cubs, praising Gausman's reliability and fit, and a B for the Blue Jays, acknowledging a solid return for a rental pitcher amid a disappointing season.