Few defined this Toronto Blue Jays era better than Kevin Gausman.
The lanky, long-haired righty made every start for four-plus years. He took the ball on Opening Day, he toed the rubber in the dog days and he was ready for the World Series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be a 20-year Jay and George Springer kickstarted years of spending, but Gausman was the core’s reliable constant. That era — the Gausman era — is now over.
The starting pitcher was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday for two prospects, outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene. It’s the first of what’s expected to be several goodbyes ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, and it may be the hardest.
