HOUSTON — The Toronto Blue Jays began to wheel and deal ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, sending beloved righty Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for two prospects after earlier Sunday adding righty Jameson Taillon, who’d been designated for assignment by the National League wild-card-leading Cubs.
Here’s a look at who they’ve acquired:
In return for cash or a player to be named later…
Jameson Taillon
SP | 6-5/ 230 pounds | B/T: R/R | Age: 34
2026 stats: G: 15 | GS: 15 | IP: 76 | ERA: 5.92 | HR: 25| BB/K: 27/68
The Breakdown: A steady and reliable innings-eater throughout his career, Taillon pitched for Canada at the World Baseball Classic this spring — both his parents are Canadian — but has been victimized this season by the home run, allowing 3.0 per nine innings, more than double his career norm. He missed most of June and part of July with a strained left hamstring and made two starts after returning from the injured list, allowing five more homers in 8.1 innings, leading the Cubs to DFA him. His fastball velocity is down to 91.8 m.p.h. but he has a six-pitch mix and his sweeper and curveball have both been effective, giving the Blue Jays tools to work with as they backfill the rotation.
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In return for Kevin Gausman
Ty Southisene
Prospect Rankings: No. 10 in Cubs system by Baseball America
INF | 5-7/ 170 pounds | B/T: R/R | Age: 21
2026 stats High-A South Bend: PA: 209 | .333/.459/.381 | HR: 0 | SB: 20 | BB/K: 30/27
2026 stats Low-A Myrtle Beach: PA: 105 | .267/.373/.372 | HR: 0 | SB: 11 | BB/K: 11/10
The Breakdown: The diminutive fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft possesses the type of high-contact, strong-plate-discipline profile the Blue Jays value, with good baserunning skills. He has minimal power, with zero home runs in pro ball, but between his bat-to-ball abilities as well as his speed, he gives the club’s player development staff tools to work with. He’s only played shortstop this season after primarily playing second base last year.
Brett Bateman
Prospect Rankings: No. 21 in Cubs system by MLB Pipeline
OF | 5-10/ 170 pounds | B/T: L/L | Age: 24
2026 stats Triple-A Iowa: PA: 346 | .312/.431/.422 | HR: 3 | SB: 20 | BB/K: 60/65
The Breakdown: The eighth-round pick in 2023 offers a similar contact-speed profile to Southisene along with strong defence in centre field, a position where the Blue Jays have a hole to fill for 2027 and beyond. He doesn’t hit the ball especially hard with an average exit velocity of 88.1 m.p.h. and rarely puts it in the air, but he rarely chases, rarely whiffs and uses his speed to leverage his contact. Combined with his play in the field, there are tools there that can carry him to the majors.
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