The Toronto Blue Jays currently sit at 54-62, last place in the American League East and 15 games out of first. However, in a weak AL, they are only three and a half games back of the last Wild Card spot.
At Monday’s trade deadline, the Blue Jays sold off some important players. That involved outfielder Daulton Varsho, reliever Jeff Hoffman and starter Kevin Gausman.
The 35-year-old right-hander was traded to the Chicago Cubs for a package of prospects. In five seasons with Toronto, Gausman made 148 starts while pitching to a 3.62 ERA. Due to his contract expiring after 2026, the Blue Jays chose to deal him.
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They traded him on Sunday, receiving minor league outfielders Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene in the deal. At the time of the deal, they were Chicago’s No. 13 and No. 21 prospects respectively.
Bateman in particular seemed to be the headline of the return package. The 24-year-old had been at Triple-A for all of 2026 to this point. In 84 games, he slashed .311/.429/.416 with three home runs and 33 RBIs.
Though he does not have much power, Bateman’s contact and plate discipline skills are plainly adored by the Blue Jays’ front office. It was reported on Friday that the outfielder will be called up to the big leagues to make his debut at the Philadelphia Phillies.
He will bat ninth and play center field against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (10-2, 2.49 ERA). The Blue Jays had a pressing need for a center fielder seeing as they traded Varsho away at the deadline.
Bateman should receive the bulk of the playing time in center field. At Triple-A this year, he attempted 23 steals and made it 20 of those times. That with his high batting average and on-base skills should make him a frequent threat on the basepaths.
The other prospect in the Gausman package, Southisene, is 21 years old and currently at High-A. He has a similar profile to Bateman, with a major league ETA of 2030.
