Both the Cubs and the White Sox made moves yesterday to bolster their pitching staffs heading into the stretch run. The Cubs struck first, acquiring starter Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays for Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene. Gausman, 35, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 23 starts for the Blue Jays this season coming off a long post-season in 2025 and is in the final year of his deal. Bateman, 24, is a left-handed hitting outfielder was the eighth-round pick for the Cubs in 2023 and is currently ranked as the organization’s No. 21 prospect according to MLB.com. Southisene, 21, is an infielder selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft and the organization’s 13th top-ranked prospect.
On the South Side, a day after acquiring Luis Castillo for the rotation, the White Sox acquired reliever Huascar Brazobán from the Mets for Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin. Brazobán, a late bloomer at 36, is having a career-year, posting a 2.56 ERA over 46 games and 52⅔ innings. He has three years of team control remaining and won’t become eligible for free agency until he’s 39. Davis, a 6’9″ righty starter, has struggled after being promoted to Birmingham earlier this year. The 22-year-old was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. Franklin turns 28 shortly before he becomes eligible for the Rule 5 draft this December.
