Kevin Gausman-Twins trade idea works if the Blue Jays can get another deadline haul

The Toronto Blue Jays are moving in a number of different directions as the MLB Trade Deadline draws closer. They seemed to be prepping for an aggressive deadline strategy. Having said that, their inconsistent play is causing observers to approach this deadline with a measure of caution.

Which is why the latest missive from ESPN analyst Jeff Passan is very intriguing. The Blue Jays could shift their deadline approach in the next few weeks and Passan writes, "If Toronto does wind up dumping its impending free agents, Minnesota adding Gausman to (Joe) Ryan and Taj Bradley in a three-game wild-card series certainly would play,"

Gausman, 35, is not pitching well in his final season under contract, with a 4.32 ERA and 1.223 WHIP in19 games started. Since June 2, Gausman has recorded an ugly with 38 hits, 30 runs allowed (27 earned) and 17 walks while only striking out 42 batters over 37.1 innings.

Still, the native of Louisiana has a track record of pitching in the postseason that can help a contending team. One can only imagine the haul Toronto can receive for a pitcher like that.

Blue Jays can take advantage of Gausman's playoff history at deadline

The Blue Jays could take advantage of his impending free agency now. Gausman has been one of the best free agent acquisitions of the Ross Atkins era, but the front office boss should seek to maximize his value right now. Passan floating the Minnesota Twins as a speculative fit is interesting because of the recent trade history between the clubs.

The most recent maneuver involves the Blue Jays shipping veteran reliever Tommy Nance to the Twin Cities for 21-year-old catching prospect Ryan Sprock. Toronto clearly views the young prospect as an exciting gamble that was worth jumping the market.

The Blue Jays infamously traded for starter Jose Berrios at the 2021 trade deadline, sending prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson in exchange for the native of Puerto Rico. Berrios has enjoyed a moderately productive tenure with the Blue Jays, with his recent Tommy John Surgery hurting Toronto's rotation plans. In a twist, Woods Richardson is back in a Toronto uniform.

The other big transaction between the two franchises was the Louis Varland and Ty France acquisition last summer when Minnesota conducted a selloff. Varland has been downright amazing for Toronto. He was named to his first All-Star game, and currently boasts a boasts a 0.94 ERA and 1.45 FIP with a 35.9% strikeout and 7.1% walk rate.

Varland's initial arrival in Canada didn't look so promising. The native of Minnesota was probably surprised by the circumstances surrounding the trade, and took a long time to make the adjustments. He posted a 4.94 ERA in 23 regular season appearances down the stretch. He then set an MLB record by pitching 15 times during the Blue Jays 2025 playoff run.

The Blue Jays have Varland under team control through 2030. They only had to give up Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden to make it happen. Even the Berrios trade wasn't all that damaging since the Blue Jays have re-united with Woods-Richardson. Why not try to replicate that trade magic one year later?

The Blue Jays will miss his presence in the rotation, but Toronto will probably acquire another starter at the deadline to replace some of Gausman's production. The Blue Jays need arms in the rotation regardless of whether Gausman is playing in Toronto. Why not take advantage of Gausman's value while fleecing the Twins once again if they can.

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