The San Francisco Giants have not exactly begun the season the way they would have hoped, currently holding a 9-13 record that places them in a difficult early position. Still, when taking a broader look across Major League Baseball, it becomes clear that they are far from the only team struggling out of the gate.
In fact, some clubs that entered the season with much higher expectations have stumbled even more noticeably. One such example is the Toronto Blue Jays, who came into the year with momentum after nearly capturing a World Series title, yet now find themselves sitting at 8-13.
That contrast is important because it highlights how unpredictable the early portion of a baseball season can be. A slow start does not necessarily define a team’s entire year, but it can certainly influence the decisions organizations make as the season progresses.
For the Blue Jays, their disappointing start raises questions about whether they can regain their form and reestablish themselves as contenders. If they fail to turn things around and continue to underperform, the front office could be forced to consider a different approach as the trade deadline approaches.
In that scenario, Toronto might shift from a competitive mindset to one focused on selling assets, particularly players who are nearing the end of their contracts. Doing so would allow them to recoup value rather than risk losing key contributors for nothing in free agency. One player who fits that description is their experienced right-handed starting pitcher, Kevin Gausman. As a veteran arm with a strong track record, he would likely attract significant interest from teams looking to strengthen their pitching staff for a postseason push.
For the Giants, this potential situation could present an intriguing opportunity. Despite their own early struggles, San Francisco remains in a position where improvement is still within reach, especially if they can address weaknesses in their roster. Starting pitching is often one of the most critical components of a successful team, and adding a proven arm like Gausman could provide both stability and upside to their rotation.
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There is also an added layer of familiarity that could make such a move even more appealing. Gausman has previously spent time with the Giants, and that past experience could ease the transition if he were to return. Players who are already comfortable with an organization, its coaching staff, and its environment often require less adjustment time, which can be especially valuable during the second half of the season when every game carries increased importance.
Of course, any potential deal would depend on several factors. The Blue Jays would need to continue struggling to the point where selling becomes the logical choice, and the Giants would need to position themselves as buyers rather than sellers. Additionally, the cost of acquiring a player of Gausman’s caliber would not be insignificant, as Toronto would likely seek meaningful prospects or other valuable pieces in return.
Another important consideration is Gausman’s contract status. With free agency looming at the end of the season, any team that acquires him would be doing so with the understanding that he could depart shortly thereafter unless a new deal is reached. This makes him something of a rental player, which can both increase and decrease his value depending on how teams view their competitive window.
Ultimately, while nothing is guaranteed this early in the season, the possibility of a reunion between Gausman and the Giants is an interesting storyline to watch. If both teams continue on their current trajectories, circumstances could align in a way that benefits each side. Toronto would gain future assets, while San Francisco would add a proven pitcher capable of making an immediate impact as they attempt to turn their season around.
Blue Jays struggles could open the door to SF Giants reunion with Kevin Gausman
Through his first five outings of the season, Kevin Gausman has delivered an impressive performance that reinforces his reputation as one of the more consistent starters in Major League Baseball. He currently holds a 2.54 earned run average, paired with 35 strikeouts and only six walks across 28 and one-third innings pitched.
Those numbers reflect not only effectiveness but also efficiency and control two traits that have come to define his game over the past several years. In many ways, he looks no different from the pitcher he has been since signing a five-year, $110 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays following the 2021 season.
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Despite his continued success, there remains a lingering sense of regret among fans of the San Francisco Giants, many of whom still question why the organization chose not to retain him after his standout 2021 campaign. That season marked a turning point in Gausman’s career, but it was also the culmination of a remarkable personal resurgence.
Prior to joining San Francisco in 2020, Gausman had built a reputation as a talented yet inconsistent journeyman. He had flashes of brilliance earlier in his career, but he struggled to find sustained success and often seemed unable to fully harness his potential.
Everything began to change when he arrived in San Francisco. The Giants’ coaching staff helped him refine his pitch mix, most notably encouraging him to lean heavily on his splitter. That pitch quickly became his signature weapon, baffling hitters and generating swings and misses at a high rate. With a renewed sense of confidence and a clearer identity on the mound, Gausman transformed into a frontline starter. His resurgence was not just a minor improvement—it was a complete reinvention of his career trajectory.
The 2021 season was especially memorable for both Gausman and the Giants. Individually, he reached a milestone by earning his first career All-Star selection, a recognition that validated years of hard work and perseverance. As a team, the Giants exceeded all expectations, finishing with a franchise-record 107 wins.
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It was one of the most surprising and successful seasons in the organization’s long history, and Gausman played a pivotal role in that achievement. Given his contributions and the chemistry he appeared to have with the team, many assumed it was only a matter of time before he would be re-signed to a long-term contract.
Instead, the Giants opted for a different approach. Rather than committing significant financial resources to retain Gausman, the front office chose to bring back more cost-effective options such as Alex Wood and Anthony DeSclafani. While both pitchers had their moments, neither offered the same level of upside or consistency that Gausman had demonstrated. At the time, the decision raised eyebrows, and in the years since, it has increasingly been viewed as a missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, Gausman has continued to thrive in Toronto. Since joining the Blue Jays, he has posted a cumulative 3.45 ERA, further solidifying his status as a dependable top-of-the-rotation arm. His durability has also been noteworthy, as he has made at least 31 starts in each season with the team.
That level of reliability is invaluable in today’s game, where injuries and workload management often limit pitchers’ availability. In 2023, he earned another All-Star selection, proving that his success in San Francisco was no fluke.
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Looking back, it’s hard not to imagine how different things might have been for the Giants had they chosen to keep Gausman. Pairing him with Logan Webb at the top of the rotation could have given the team one of the most formidable one-two punches in baseball. Webb has developed into a high-quality starter in his own right, and combining his talents with Gausman’s consistency could have provided a stable foundation for the pitching staff over multiple seasons.
Such a duo might have significantly altered the team’s fortunes in the years following 2021. Instead of grappling with uncertainty in the rotation a recurring issue that has plagued the team the Giants could have entered each season with a clear strength on the mound.
It’s not difficult to envision scenarios in which that stability translates into additional wins, potentially pushing the team into postseason contention. In fact, it’s entirely reasonable to believe that retaining Gausman could have resulted in at least one or two playoff appearances since that historic 2021 campaign.
Unfortunately for the Giants, that scenario never materialized. The rotation has remained a source of concern, with inconsistency and underperformance preventing the team from building sustained momentum. What once looked like a minor financial decision has since taken on greater significance, as the absence of a true ace has been felt year after year.
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However, there may still be an opportunity for redemption. A potential trade to reacquire Gausman could allow the Giants to correct their earlier misstep and reunite with a pitcher who has already proven he can succeed in their system. Bringing him back would not only bolster the rotation but also provide a sense of continuity with the team’s most recent period of success.
Of course, such a move would depend on several factors. For one, the Blue Jays would need to fall out of contention. While their current record may not be ideal, they possess a talented and well-rounded roster capable of turning things around. If they manage to regain their footing and remain competitive, there would be little incentive for them to part ways with a key contributor like Gausman.
On the other side of the equation, the Giants would need to position themselves as buyers at the trade deadline. If they hover around the .500 mark, they could remain within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, making a significant acquisition more justifiable. In that context, trading for Gausman could be seen as a calculated risk aimed at pushing the team over the top and securing a postseason berth.
Even if such a deal were to come to fruition, it would not erase the original decision to let Gausman walk. That choice will likely continue to be viewed as a misstep in hindsight. Nevertheless, a reunion could still carry meaningful benefits. The last time the Giants reached the playoffs, Gausman was a central figure in their success. His presence on the roster provided stability, leadership, and high-level performance qualities that are often essential for teams with postseason aspirations.
Reuniting with him could therefore represent more than just a roster upgrade; it could symbolize a return to a winning formula. While there are no guarantees in baseball, bringing back a proven performer who has already thrived in the organization might be one of the most effective ways for the Giants to find their way back to October.
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