NEWSLETTER
Things aren’t slowing down. The top of the pitching market is going to be moving very soon, if Jon Morosi is correct.
The rumors really started picking up on Kevin Gausman over the last 24 hours, and it sounds like he’s going to be a guy who signs before the CBA expires on Wednesday:
Free agent Kevin Gausman is expected to agree to a contract in the next 2 or 3 days, sources say. I’ve been told a 5-year deal is increasingly likely. He turns 31 in January. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2021
Five years on Gausman is not a shock, since four years seems reasonable and the guys at the top of the market always do better than “reasonable.” My guess is he’s shooting for something like five years and $125 million, just topping Zack Wheeler’s deal from a couple years ago, and if things are this hot, he’s probably going to get it. And probably from the Mets. An earlier Andy Martino report, which also indicated a decision from Gausman could come very soon, claimed the Mets were “in hard on” Gausman.
Not that the Mets are alone in the pursuit. Mariners also? Giants trying to retain him? And the Blue Jays:
Sources: The #BlueJays are one finalist for Kevin Gausman as the right-hander nears his free-agent decision. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2021
The Cubs were VERY LIGHTLY attached to Gausman early in the offseason, together with many other teams, and he’s a guy the Cubs pursued many times before he broke out. But let’s be clear that there has been no indication that they are involved at this time at the top of the market for Gausman.
I do wonder what happens if and when Gausman signs. Will that move the market on Jonathan Gray as a fallback? On Marcus Stroman? Are they all gonna sign before Wednesday night? Stay tuned. While I don’t expect the Cubs to be in on Gausman, I do think they will be in on Gray, and they are reportedly in on Stroman.
