Toronto Blue Jays' should lock up Kevin Gausman before seasons end
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Should the Toronto Blue Jays extend Kevin Gausman before he reaches free agency at the end of the 2026 season?
As Kevin Gausman approaches the final year of his contract, the Toronto Blue Jays are facing a familiar but important question: should they move to extend one of their most dependable starters before he reaches free agency following the 2026 season?
Since signing a five-year deal ahead of the 2022 campaign, Gausman has been nothing short of a stabilizing force in Toronto’s rotation.
Over his first four seasons with the club, he has delivered consistency and durability, traits that are increasingly rare among starting pitchers.
Across 125 starts in a Blue Jays uniform, Gausman owns a 48–41 record with a 3.48 ERA.
He has piled up 793 strikeouts and is on track to surpass the 800 mark this season.
His resume also includes three complete games, two of them shutouts, highlighting his ability to work deep into games when needed.
From an analytical standpoint, Gausman’s impact is just as impressive. His 11.2 WAR with Toronto is the highest he has posted with any team during his MLB career.
He also elevated his game in the 2025 postseason, recording a 2.95 ERA across five starts and even contributing out of the bullpen in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Gausman has already carved out a notable place in franchise history.
He currently ranks seventh all-time in strikeouts and 16th in wins among Blue Jays pitchers, a testament to both his longevity and effectiveness since arriving north of the border.
Time and again, Toronto has leaned on Gausman as a go-to arm, and he has rewarded that trust with reliability at the front of the rotation.
That consistency is exactly what could make him an attractive veteran option on the open market if he reaches free agency.
Short-term, high AAV extension may be a solution for both sides
ESPN’s Buster Olney recently emphasized just how valuable Gausman’s steady production could be.
Kevin Gausman has been among the best free agent starting pitchers in recent decades, after signing his five-year, $110 million deal with the Jays. From 2021-25 (the first of those with San Francisco), he's been so consistent:
158 starts
3.34 ERA
925 2/3 IP
1,020 Ks
16.4 WAR
He's entering the last season of his contract with the Jays.
158 starts
3.34 ERA
925 2/3 IP
1,020 Ks
16.4 WAR
He's entering the last season of his contract with the Jays.
By the end of the season, Gausman will be 36 years old, putting the Blue Jays in a position where they must weigh age against dependability.
He is earning $23 million this year, and given the current pitching market—and his sustained production—his value could still fall within a similar range.
While it’s unlikely he would command another long-term deal at the same annual rate, Gausman has shown there is still plenty left in the tank.
A shorter-term extension could make sense for both sides, allowing Toronto to retain a proven workhorse while avoiding the risks of a lengthy commitment.
With free agency looming, the clock is ticking. The question now is whether the Blue Jays act early to secure one of the most reliable pitchers in franchise history or risk watching him walk away.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29|43 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays' should lock up Kevin Gausman before seasons end Should the Toronto Blue Jays try to extend Kevin Gausman before he hits the open market? | ||
| Yes | 38 | 88.4 % |
| No | 5 | 11.6 % |
| List of polls | ||