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Chicago Cubs acquire Kevin Gausman, add Zeferjahn and Garrett at deadline
The Chicago Cubs added three pitchers at the 2026 trade deadline. They acquired right‑hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Brett Bateman and shortstop Ty Southisene. Gausman, 35, posted a 5‑10 record with a 4.38 ERA over 23 starts and 127 1/3 innings this season and is on a five‑year, $110 million contract; the Cubs will assume about $7.3 million of his $23 million salary.
In separate deals, Chicago obtained right‑hand reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Moisés Ballesteros and minor‑league pitcher Mason McGwire. Zeferjahn, 28, compiled a 4‑3 record with four saves and a 3.66 ERA in 45 relief appearances. The Cubs also received left‑hand starter Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins, sending Triple‑A first baseman Jonathon Long and minor‑league right‑hander Jace Beck in return. Garrett, 29, had a 12‑14 record with a 3.63 ERA in 2022‑23 but has been limited after Tommy John surgery in December 2024.
The moves address a rotation hampered by injuries to starters Cade Horton, Justin Steele and Edward Cabrera. Chicago sits four games ahead in the National League wild‑card race, while the Blue Jays, at 52‑60, are sellers at the deadline.
Entities
Braxton Garrett · Brett Bateman · Chicago Cubs · Jed Hoyer · Kevin Gausman · Ryan Zeferjahn · Toronto Blue Jays · Ty Southisene
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Cubs will assume approximately $7.3 million of the remaining $23 million salary on Gausman's contract for the year. www.memesita.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kevin Gausman is 35 years old and has a career 3.85 ERA over 14 seasons. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Cubs' rotation has been impacted by injuries to starters Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com · jack1065.com · www.memesita.com · wsau.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Chicago Cubs acquired right‑handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com · www.memesita.com · jack1065.com · wsau.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] In the 2024 season Gausman posted a 5‑10 record, a 4.38 ERA and a 1.288 WHIP over 127 1/3 innings. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Gausman has postseason experience, including a 2.93 ERA over 30 2/3 innings in the previous season's playoffs. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.memesita.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Cubs sent outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene to the Blue Jays in exchange for Gausman. www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com · www.memesita.com · jack1065.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Blue Jays had a 52‑60 record and were 13.5 games behind in their division at the time of the trade. www.memesita.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Cubs acquired right‑handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels. mix929.com · wdez.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] In the Zeferjahn trade, the Cubs sent catcher Moises Ballesteros and minor‑league RHP Mason McGwire to the Angels. mix929.com · wdez.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Cubs acquired left‑handed starter Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins. mix929.com · wdez.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] Kevin Gausman, 35, posted a 5‑10 record with a 4.38 ERA over 23 starts and 127 1/3 innings this season. jack1065.com · www.sportscapitoldc.com · www.chicitysports.com · www.memesita.com · lastwordonsports.com · +5 more