Kevin Gausman is 35 now, so it’s fair to wonder how much longer his time in Toronto really lasts. His five-year deal runs through 2027, but the clock is clearly ticking, and this could be the point where the Blue Jays start thinking more seriously about the future.

For now, the organization feels pretty good about where it stands. Bringing in Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce has added depth and stability to the pitching staff. Still, things can change quickly. Because a year from now, Gausman will be approaching free agency, and the front office will have some big decisions to make.

Now, that’s where Framber Valdez enters the conversation. He’s arguably the best arm available on the free-agent market, and the Blue Jays are very much in the mix. But according to MLB insider Nick Gosse, Valdez isn’t just a target. He could be the pitcher Toronto builds around next, potentially becoming the new face of the rotation once the Gausman era winds down!

“Toronto didn’t get any of the big bats it sought after. Has money and could slot him as the Kevin Gausman replacement after next year… Whether you’re a fan of Framber Valdez or not, he is a very, very good player. Now, does he fit in this Blue Jays clubhouse? Will he mess up the friendship vibe? Maybe. But strictly as a player, he’s a very good pitcher,”

So, Valdez for Gausman? Gosse thinks that’s exactly where this is headed. And if he’s right, it says a lot about what the Blue Jays are planning with Gausman. Like it or not, it probably means we’re looking at just one more season of Gausman in a Jays uniform before the team fully turns the page.

The bigger question, though, is whether Framber Valdez is really the right fit in Toronto.

If you remember, last September, he allegedly hit his own catcher, César Salazar, with a pitch. Both players brushed it off as a simple cross-up, but the optics were bad, and the backlash was loud enough that it may still be affecting how teams view him as a top-tier free agent. Even Gosse has pointed out that bringing in Valdez could shift the clubhouse dynamic in a big way.

That said, it’s hard to look past the numbers. Notably, over the last four seasons, Valdez ranks second in all of baseball in innings pitched, trailing only Logan Webb! Moreover, among 59 pitchers who’ve thrown at least 500 innings in that span, his 3.22 ERA ranks seventh, and his 3.29 FIP sits ninth. And the groundball rates he produces year after year are exactly what make him so effective.

So the pressure is really on Ross Atkins to get this call right.

Replacing someone like Gausman, who’s posted a 3.34 ERA since 2021, isn’t easy. And on paper, Valdez looks like a near-perfect successor. Still, the Blue Jays have other options to weigh before committing to a move that could define the rotation for years to come.

A few internal options could also make a change for the Jays

Well, with names like Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Cody Ponce, the Blue Jays already have what looks like one of the strongest rotations in the league. That depth gives them some breathing room. So, before Gausman eventually moves on, there’s still time for the front office to see what a few internal options can offer. It’s better than rushing into a $200-million commitment to someone like Valdez!

Reportedly, Baseball America just released its list of 15 prospects poised for a bounce-back season in 2026. And Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Tiedemann showed up near the end of that list. For the unversed, Tiedemann was ranked No. 1 in Toronto’s system for three straight years from 2023 through 2025. But he lost the entire 2025 season while rehabbing from TJ surgery. Now, 2026 is being billed as his comeback year.

There’s also the roster balance angle. Tiedemann gives the Jays a much-needed lefty who can match up against left-handed hitters!

So, all of that might be enough to give Atkins some peace of mind and allow him to take a slower approach with the Valdez decision.