Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Kevin Gausman

Despite a down season, Kevin Gausman remains a target for plenty of teams. A free agent for the first time since 2021, he’s no longer the pitcher who earned a five-year, $100 million deal. But he’s not all that much worse.

It took Gausman a while to find his groove in MLB. After debuting with the Baltimore Orioles in May 2013, he was demoted to the bullpen after five starts and finished his rookie season with a 5.66 ERA. He then put up four straight “OK” seasons with Baltimore (his best season was worth 3.1 fWAR) before the team dealt him to Atlanta in 2018.

Gausman had a strong end to his 2018 season (2.88 ERA across 10 starts); however, the Braves were bounced in four games in the NLDS, and Gausman didn’t pitch particularly well in his lone appearance (two earned runs in two innings). After a very unspectacular start to 2019 (6.19 ERA over 16 starts), he was designated for assignment by Atlanta. He was then claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.

His time as a Red was unmemorable, as he pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen and amassed 0.4 fWAR over 15 appearances (although he struck out 29 batters over 22 1/3 innings). He was non-tendered after the season and signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, a move that would reshape his career.

Over his two years with the Giants, Gausman pitched to a 3.00 ERA, made his first career All-Star team, was named the Opening Day starter in 2021, and set a career high in games started (33, which led the NL in 2021). One major improvement came in his strikeout numbers, as he struck out 10.9 batters per nine innings over those two seasons, capped off by his 2021 campaign, in which he struck out 227 (48 more than his previous career high).

Those two elite seasons earned him a contract offer north of the border, and boy, did it pay off. Gausman put up back-to-back 5+ fWAR seasons in his first two years with the Jays, striking out 200+ each time (including a career-high 237 in 2023). Most notable was his consistency, making 31 starts in consecutive years, including two in the postseason.

2024 was a step back, as his strikeout numbers declined (162) and his ERA climbed from 3.16 to 3.83. When he wasn’t striking batters out, he was getting hit hard, so something had to change for 2025. Luckily, Gausman figured it out.

Gone was his sinker in 2025, and he decided to throw his splitter more often. In doing so, Gausman’s numbers looked closer to what Blue Jays fans were familiar with. While he didn’t reach 200 strikeouts (coming close with 189), his ERA dropped to 3.59, and he allowed a full hit per nine innings fewer than in 2024 (8.2 to 7.2). His strong play carried into the postseason, where he impressed with a 2.93 ERA over five starts.

Finally an Opening Day starter, Gausman’s 2026 season unfortunately looked a lot like his 2024 campaign. With a postseason berth nowhere in sight, the Blue Jays shipped him off to Chicago at the deadline. His numbers with the Cubs took another step back (4.83 ERA, 4.33 FIP, 2.0 HR/9), not including another rough postseason start (3 1/3 innings, three earned runs against the Padres in the Wild Card round).

Free Agent Profile: Kevin Gausman

• Age in 2027: 36
• 2026 Stats: 32 GS, 177.2 IP, 4.51 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.27 WHIP, 9.32 K/9
• Contract Projection: 1-2 years
• Expected AAV: $16-$22 million

Just Baseball’s No. 19 free agent (and No. 9 starting pitcher), Gausman didn’t help his stock with a lousy end to his season. What kind of teams might be interested in a bounce-back candidate?

Free Agent Landing Spots for Kevin Gausman

Baltimore Orioles

Projected 2027 Starting Rotation: Brandon Young, Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, Cade Povich, Trey Gibson

Baltimore’s rotation is going to look very different in 2027. Chris Bassitt, Zach Eflin, and Trevor Rogers are all free agents, and the team will need to replace that veteran depth.

There’s a strong case for Gausman to return to an organization he’s familiar with, where there’s less pressure to dominate as a front-of-the-rotation option.

As of right now, the three locks in the Orioles’ rotation are Brandon Young, Shane Baz, and Kyle Bradish. Young had a fabulous 2026 but struggled immensely the year before. Both Baz and Bradish had unspectacular 2026 seasons, with ERAs above 4.10 (Baz also led MLB in losses). Povich and Gibson have yet to establish themselves at the MLB level.

If Baltimore can outspend other suitors and pair Gausman with a front-of-the-rotation option, the team starts looking a lot more like the 2023 and 2024 Orioles. Additionally, if Gausman is brought in and the team struggles, he would likely see himself dealt relatively quickly, something I doubt he wants at this stage of his career.

If the Orioles see their window as one to two years, a move makes sense. If they plan to blow it all up, he’ll end up elsewhere.

Chicago Cubs

Projected 2027 Starting Rotation: Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Javier Assad, Braxton Garrett

Another team with tons of pending free-agent starters (Gausman, Matthew Boyd, Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, and Colin Rea), the Cubs will likely want to bring a couple of these names back.

As of right now, FanGraphs has Justin Steele listed as their No. 1 starter. Steele hasn’t pitched since early 2025, but that will change. There’s a scenario in which the Cubs strike out on two of the “stronger” options (for example, Imanaga and Holmes) and decide to rebuild their rotation around Gausman, a returning Holmes and Peterson, and another strong starting pitcher.

Unfortunately, Gausman’s couple of months with the Cubs weren’t very strong, so he’s likely lower on the totem pole in terms of importance to Chicago. However, like Baltimore, he now has familiarity with the organization and a relationship with the coaches and catchers on the team.

It’s also unlikely that Gausman would be dealt, as Chicago is a contender. While they have a ton of free agents on both the pitching and hitting sides, their core is still very strong (it’s hard not to be a strong team with Pete Crow-Armstrong).

If Gausman does return, I can see it being with a lower price tag. Chicago is going to spend A TON of money in free agency (I mean, they have 1,000,000 free agents), and they’re going to take some big swings.

If all the money goes to the offense, I see the chances of a return as slim to none. If they decide otherwise, he could make his way back as the No. 3 starter in their rotation.

Chicago White Sox

Projected 2027 Starting Rotation: Sean Burke, Davis Martin, Luis Castillo, Anthony Kay, Hagen Smith/Noah Schultz

The Chicago White Sox were a very fun team in 2026. However, it became evident that their undoing came from a lack of depth in their starting rotation.

Both Sean Burke and Davis Martin had strong seasons for the South Siders, with Burke showing he has the potential to be a rotation mainstay. The righty logged a 3.34 ERA and a career-high 3.2 fWAR for the White Sox while striking out 185 over 172.2 innings. All the more impressive for a pitcher whom the White Sox used an opener for in two of his first six appearances.

As for Martin, he logged a respectable 3.95 ERA. However, he struggled to a 5.12 ERA in the second half and was relegated to the bullpen for the postseason.

As for their No. 5 spot, things remain in flux. Both Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz were used in the bullpen for the White Sox, but each has starting experience. Schultz, who started 14 of his 19 games, had a rough 2026 (5.57 ERA, 0.3 fWAR). Smith’s season was much better (1.29 ERA, 0.8 fWAR); however, that came in just one start across his 18 appearances. The longest he pitched in a major league game was three innings (which he did twice, once in the postseason), so they’d have to build him back up.

The two veterans in their rotation (Luis Castillo and Anthony Kay) each struggled in 2026, especially Castillo, who put up an 8.42 ERA for Chicago. Neither of their spots is secure, and just as Seattle did with him in 2026, the White Sox will probably look to flip Castillo again.

Gausman is an immediate upgrade over Castillo and Kay, and he’d be making the move across town to the White Sox. It makes perfect sense to bring him in as a source of veteran leadership for their young arms, while also keeping him from having to travel too far from home to finish 2026.

New York Mets

Projected 2027 Starting Rotation: Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton, Sean Manaea, Jonah Tong

Taking a look at the Mets’ projected 2027 rotation, there’s not a whole lot of experience.

In fact, Sean Manaea is the only one who’s pitched two full seasons. But it’s not a given that he even ends up in their rotation in 2027 (he only started 19 of 33 games).

Gone are established starters David Peterson and Freddy Peralta. Kodai Senga seems a lot more comfortable out of the ‘pen. This team needs a serious overhaul of its rotation.

That’s not to say their young arms aren’t strong. Nolan McLean looks like a future superstar (in 2026, he had a 3.16 ERA, 3.5 fWAR, and 194 Ks), with 200+ strikeout seasons seeming like a given in the near future. At just 25, there’s tons of room to grow.

Christian Scott had his struggles (especially in August, when he put up a 6.04 ERA), but he’s a punchout machine (10.96 K/9). At 27, he’s a little bit older and still hasn’t pitched 25+ games in a season, but if the Mets can keep him healthy, he’s an ideal No. 3 starter.

Zac Thornton will be 25 in 2027, and he’s another arm who’s impressed in his brief time in the majors. While Thornton did have a strong 2026 (3.42 ERA), his FIP tells another story (4.51), and he only struck out 63 batters in 84.1 innings. Still, he rarely walks batters (1.92 BB/9) and has a variety of ways to get batters out, with seven pitches in his arsenal.

Tong has yet to establish himself but could very well break out in 2027. He’s got a funky delivery and gets a ton of strikeouts; he’s just got to limit the walks and hard contact. He’ll turn 24 in June and has tons of time, so a trip to Triple-A might be in the cards. As a Southern Ontario boy (from York Region), I’ll always be rooting for him.

Steve Cohen loves to spend money, and what better way than by adding Kevin Gausman? Yes, there are other more impactful names (cough, cough, Tarik Skubal), but who’s to say Cohen can’t add both? A 2027 rotation of Skubal, McLean, Gausman, Scott, and more makes them a contender already.

We’ve been saying “this signing will be the one that does it” about the Mets for what seems like forever, but their free-agent splashes have mainly been offensive additions. This winter, with Gausman and Skubal, could be the punch that propels them to October baseball.

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected 2027 Starting Rotation: Dylan Cease, José Soriano, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, Spencer Arrighetti

Last but certainly not least, I can see a strong case for Kevin Gausman making his way back to Toronto.

After all, he’s a fan favorite north of the border, has raised his family in Toronto, and expressed how emotional his trade from the Blue Jays was. The fit isn’t just for sentimental reasons, either; Toronto desperately needs some back-of-the-rotation help.

Their 1-2-3 of Cease, Soriano, and Yesavage is as good as any in baseball (arguably a top-five rotation). Their Nos. 4 and 5 (Ponce and Arrighetti) are definitely not.

It was a huge blow when Ponce was injured in his first and only start in 2026, but all signs indicate that he’ll be healthy for 2027. That still makes him a huge unknown, however, as he hasn’t pitched five innings in an MLB game since July 27, 2021. Arrighetti struggled with Houston (4.60 ERA) and struggled even more with the Jays (6.35 ERA), losing his spot in the rotation in the process (he was optioned to the FCL on September 21).

There’s also a chance that Toronto converts Spencer Miles back into a starting pitcher, although he fared much better as a one-to-two-inning reliever.

Not only would a Gausman signing provide them with starting pitching depth, but it would also allow him to retire as a Blue Jay (if that’s what he wanted). He was also pictured wearing an Auston Matthews jersey for Halloween. Maybe one No. 34 can influence the other? I’m sure the Leafs could use him in net.

Thanks to the 2025 World Series run (and the many strong years before it), Gausman will be loved in Toronto for the rest of his life. If the Blue Jays are interested, they’re immediate frontrunners.