Kevin Gausman was acquired by the Braves along with Darren O’Day in the last gasp of the 2018 Orioles fire sale. He would make 10 starts after the trade deadline in 2018, posting a 2.87/3.78/4.46 line.
However, everything went off the rails in 2019. He started the season with an IL stint for right shoulder inflammation, was suspended in May for throwing at Jose Urena, put up a headshaking 6.19/4.20/4.49 line, was ILed for plantar fasciitis, got clobbered by the Phillies and Reds, and released in early August.
Yes, that 6.19/4.20/4.49 line is correct. He had an ERA of nearly two runs higher than his FIP. I remember taking a look at this back then here. What I came up with is that he had become a two-pitch pitcher, with the better of those having less movement and staying higher in the zone.
So how did the Braves let Kevin Gausman get away? He stunk for one. Well, his results and his splitter did anyway. IIRC, the Braves attempted to have Gausman move to the bullpen but he refused. The Braves signed Dallas Keuchel right around Kevin’s second IL stint, so he became expendable for a team that was down two games in the NL East at the time. He had no problem joining the Reds bullpen, fixing his splitter, and taking off with the Giants. Still, it would have been more cool if the Braves would have been able to keep him around.
