The Toronto Blue Jays made waves during the offseason when they signed 2021 All-Star Kevin Gausman to a 5-year, $110 million dollar deal.
However, the MLB community did not know what to expect from the right-hander. Sure, Gausman finished 2021 with an impressive 2.81 ERA and 1.04 WHIP to go along with 227 strikeouts. But he also posted a much better first half than second half of the season.
Nonetheless, Gausman's overall strong performance landed him the massive contract in Toronto. And through the first month and a half of the 2022 MLB season, it is safe to say that the deal has worked out well for both sides.
Today, we are talking about the 2 main reasons why the Blue Jays signing Kevin Gausman was the most valuable move of the offseason.
2 Reasons Blue Jays Signing Kevin Gausman was Most Valuable Move of Offseason
Rotation Stability Amid Jose Berrios Struggles
The Blue Jays expected Jose Berrios to be the star of the rotation after acquiring him from the Twins last year. Berrios had always displayed signs of starlike potential but never could find consistency as an ace.
Berrios currently owns an ERA of well over 4 and has an unsettling WHIP of 1.44. Batters are hitting over .280 off of him. He has not lived up to his ace billing so far in 2022.
But Kevin Gausman has fulfilled that role. As of this story's publication, Gausman owns a 2.25 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He has struck out 65 batters and walked only 5 all season. That is truly remarkable.
But Gausman's steadiness has done more than just help Toronto win games. It also has allowed pitchers such as Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi to feel less pressure despite their struggles.
And Berrios is beginning to show signs of life. Kikuchi is also pitching well as of late.
The Blue Jays have World Series aspirations in 2022. Their offense has plenty of firepower, but they now have a pitching rotation that is dangerous with Kevin Gausman leading the charge.
Kevin Gausman has Literally Been the Best Pitcher in Baseball
People tend to use the word “literally” loosely. But the use of the term is necessary in this circumstance.
Top two pitchers — in all of @MLB — in WAR, per @fangraphs:@KevinGausman, @BlueJays, 2.7@TarikSkubal, @Tigers, 1.7 @MLBNetwork @MLBStats
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 25, 2022
The only pitcher remotely close to Gausman is Tarik Skubal, who has been terrific for the Tigers.
But Kevin Gausman leads the way in pitching WAR.
Gausman features some of the best command in MLB to go along with a filthy splitter.
Kevin Gausman, Disappearing 85mph Splitter. 👻 pic.twitter.com/C8ScrpGo4S
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 25, 2022
The pitch comes in straight looking like a fastball. Hitters see it out of Gausman's hand and immediately sit on a heater down the middle. But the bottom falls out of the pitch at the last second.
In a lot of ways, it is similar to a basic sinker. However, a sinker has more running action which causes hitters to smash it into the ground. But the cutter disappears on batters which leads to far more strikeouts. It is a pitch that Shohei Ohtani features in his arsenal as well.
Shohei Ohtani, Vicious 90mph Splitter. ✌️
Shohei stopping dead in his tracks and staring when he hears Brantley break his bat on the ground. 😂 pic.twitter.com/OG4nzc2XWQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 20, 2022
Kevin Gausman's elite command and nasty splitter have propelled him to the top of the pitcher ranks. It is difficult to argue that there is any free agent offseason signee who has been more valuable. Sure, Freddie Freeman and Carlos Correa have played well in their new homes. But what Gausman is doing is unparalleled.
He will aim to keep pitching well as the Blue Jays look to make a postseason run this season.