What to know
- Kevin Gausman says the 2026 Blue Jays are “not nearly as close-knit” as the team that reached the World Series in 2025.
- The veteran pitcher believes injuries, frustration and the departures of leaders like Chris Bassitt have contributed to the change in clubhouse chemistry.
- Gausman said players have become frustrated with both the season and, at times, each other.
- Teammate Ernie Clement also acknowledged this year’s clubhouse feels different, though he stopped short of saying the team isn’t as close.
The chemistry that helped carry the Toronto Blue Jays to Game 7 of the World Series in 2025 hasn’t carried over into this season—and now one of the club’s veteran leaders is explaining why.
Speaking on Mike Wilner’s Deep Left Field podcast, starting pitcher Kevin Gausman said this year’s Blue Jays clubhouse simply hasn’t felt the same.
“We’re just not nearly as close-knit of a group as we were last year,” Gausman said.
The comments come as Toronto continues to struggle through a disappointing 2026 campaign, sitting below .500 and facing the possibility of selling players ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Frustration has changed the clubhouse
Gausman said there isn’t a single reason behind the shift but believes several factors have combined to create a different environment than the one players enjoyed during last year’s World Series run.
“I think it’s a mixture of a lot of things,” he said.
“I think it’s a mixture of frustration, a mixture of feeling like we haven’t been at full go from week one… guys maybe trying to go a different way to kind of find themselves.”
The veteran right-hander also pointed to roster changes.
“I don’t think we necessarily have the characters we’ve had in the past.”
He specifically mentioned Max Scherzer’s limited availability and suggested losing Chris Bassitt may have had a bigger impact than many initially realized.
“I think losing Chris Bassitt was maybe bigger than we all thought it would be.”
Gausman added that the frustrations have occasionally extended beyond performances on the field.
“I think it more so has to do with everybody feeling frustrated, and maybe even frustrated at each other.”
Other players also see a difference
Infielder Ernie Clement echoed some of Gausman’s observations during the podcast, saying this year’s clubhouse feels different than the one that made a deep postseason run in 2025.
“It’s just a different team, it’s just a different group,” Clement said.
“I don’t know if we’re not as close, but it’s just different.”
Despite the disappointing season, Gausman said he still believes in both the players and coaching staff.
“I still believe in every single guy in that room, and in the staff that’s leading them.”
With the Blue Jays running out of time to revive their playoff hopes, the comments provide a rare glimpse into how a frustrating season has affected the clubhouse behind the scenes.
