Blue Jays ace ponders life after baseball, hints at retirement following 2026 season

By now, it's safe to call the Toronto Blue Jays' signing of Kevin Gausman one of the best moves in franchise history. The veteran right-hander had toiled through so many up-and-down seasons before breaking out with the San Francisco Giants in 2021, at which point he reached free agency as a 30-year-old.

The Blue Jays bought high, giving Gausman $110 million over five years to replace Cy Young winner Robbie Ray as the staff ace. It was a high-risk, high-reward proposition, but Gausman has more than held up his end of the bargain. In his first four seasons in Canada, the two-time All-Star has covered 125 starts while pitching to the tune of a 3.48 ERA and 3.14 FIP.

Now 35 years old and entering the final season of his deal, Gausman most of his innings are already behind him. In a shocking revelation made at spring camp, he admitted that 2026 could be the swan song of his brilliant career.

“I think [retirement] is definitely a possibility,” Gausman told 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. But now that we’re here, I’m just focused on this year. I’m gonna give everything I have for this organization and this team this year. What’s beyond that? I really have no idea.”

Kevin Gausman openly mulls retirement ahead of 2026 season with Blue Jays

Gausman noted that, more than anything, a desire to spend more time with his family is what's calling him to retirement. "My kids are only getting older. The more you push that envelope, the more you’re risking," he said in a particularly profound moment of clarity. He's heading into his 14th big-league season, and he's basically accomplished all there is to do at an individual level.

That's not to say that he can't still shove. His splitter remains impossibly good, allowing a meager .181 batting average to opposing hitters in 2025. He also continues to rank among the league's best at limiting walks and getting batters to chase outside the zone. Set to hit free agency in a year's time, there's no question that a number of times would line up to hand up yet another big contract if he decides to continue pitching.

In truth, it may all come down to what happens in 2026. Gausman had a chance to close out the 2025 World Series in Game 6, and though he delivered a very strong start, Fall Classic MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto simply out-dueled him. If the Blue Jays can avenge that loss — or at least get another crack at the title — the veteran right-hander may decide to end his career on a high note.

If this is it for Gausy, let's be sure to enjoy one final ride with one of the best pitchers in Blue Jays history.