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Kevin Gausman hints at making stunning decision.
The Toronto Blue Jays could have to replace ace Kevin Gausman after the 2026 MLB season.
Toronto signed Gausman to a five-year, $110 million deal ahead of the 2022 season, and he’s exceeded all expectations. As he’s entering the final year of his deal, many wondered if Toronto and Gausman would be interested in an extension.
However, as the Blue Jays camp opened, Gausman hinted at potentially retiring after the 2026 MLB season.
“I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Gausman said to The Athletic if 2026 could be his last MLB season. “I have really loved my time here. Do I know what’s ahead of me? I don’t really know. No idea. It’s something that I have definitely thought about in the offseason.
“But now that we’re here, I’m just focused on this year. I’m gonna give everything I have for this organization and this team this year. What’s beyond that? I really have no idea.”
Gausman just turned 35-years-old so him retiring already would be a surprise. Yet, as he said, he could decide to walk away to spend time with his family and be away from the game.
“My kids are only getting older,” Gausman said. “The more you push that envelope, the more you’re risking. What’s the positive? What’s the negative? Do I get home and really only have a couple more years of them even wanting to be around you?”
Gausman went 10-11 with a 3.59 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Blue Jays and will be the team’s ace in 2026.
Gausman Still Thinks About World Series Loss
Toronto lost in Game 7 of the World Series, and Gausman still thinks about it as camp has opened up.
Gausman got the ball in Game 6 with the Blue Jays up 3-2 in the series. However, Toronto lost Games 6 and 7 at home to lose the World Series, and it’s something Gausman still thinks about.
“I’ll think about Game 6 for the rest of my life,” Gausman said. “Specifically, Game 6. Playing at home, I had a chance to essentially pitch my team to a championship. I really took that personally and really wanted to do it. I really did. Going into Game 6, it was the most excited I’ve ever been to start a game.”
Gausman went 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 6 games, including 5 starts in the playoffs for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays Get Positive Pitching Update
Toronto did get some positive injury news as Shane Bieber is ahead of schedule.
It was announced that Bieber would likely begin the season on the IL, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he is getting close.
“Biebs isn’t that far behind. Biebs is throwing and feeling good. He’s out to 120 feet,” Schneider said on OverDrive on Thursday. “Hopefully in the next week to two weeks, he’ll be getting off the mound and starting his progression. There are options coming, too.”
Bieber, meanwhile, said he is taking things slow to make sure he’s healthy for another playoff push.
“We’re going to take it slow and be smart. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Bieber said a week ago, “and we definitely know that coming off of last year. I know this group’s hungry and I’m extremely hungry. I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Bieber opted into a $16 million deal this offseason.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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