Kevin Gausman's bags were packed at the MLB trade deadline. He knew the Giants might send him off to a contending team, but Gausman made it clear to the free office he wanted to remain in San Francisco.
The veteran right-hander ultimately did remain a Giant for the 2020 season, and will do so again in 2021 after accepting the $18.9 million qualifying offer. It appears Gausman's bags could have been packed again this offseason for a much longer contract, too.
Sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that the Toronto Blue Jays offered Gausman a three-year contract "in the $40 million range" before he accepted the Giants' qualifying offer. While that deal would be less annually than Guasman would make in 2021, it would have guaranteed him long-term security after bouncing around the league the past few years.
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Gausman, who turns 30 years old in January, bet on himself that he will be worth even more on the open market next offseason. The Giants signed Gausman to a one-year, $9 million contract at the Winter Meetings last year and he doubled that contract for 2021 after going 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA for the Giants. Gausman also struck out 79 batters in 59 2/3 innings and averaged 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
There has been chatter Gausman and the Giants already have been in talks on a long-term deal. He clearly likes pitching in San Francisco, which could have been a factor in him turning down the Blue Jays. It shouldn't be a surprise if Gausman is a Giant well beyond 2021.
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