Blue Jays trade Pearson to Cubs
The Toronto Blue Jays traded reliever Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Yohendrick Pinango and shortstop Josh Rivera, the teams announced.
Pearson, who turns 28 next month, posted a 5.63 ERA, 4.62 FIP, and 1.55 WHIP along with 51 strikeouts and a 11.5 K/9 rate in 41 relief appearances this season.
A 2017 first-round pick of the Blue Jays, Pearson was once considered the organization's top pitching prospect and was earmarked as a future staff ace. He was a key contributor to Toronto's 2020 playoff berth as a rookie and struck out five without allowing a run during that year's wild-card series.
However, a slew of injuries followed and halted his progress as a starter. Pearson missed all of 2022 due to a combination of illness and elbow injuries before returning last year as a reliever.
Pearson is earning $800,000 this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining. His acquisition falls in line with Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer's deadline strategy of looking to acquire players who will help the team compete in 2025 and beyond.
Pearson's fastball has long been his trademark and was the reason behind his high prospect rankings. It's still one of his best pitches, ranking in the 95th percentile while averaging nearly 98 mph, although opponents are hitting .342 against it this season. He's found more success with the slider, his second-most common offering, in 2024.
Pinango, 22, was ranked as the Cubs' No. 17 prospect by Baseball America prior to the trade. The Venezuelan outfielder is hitting .263/.363/.434 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases across 84 games split between High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee. He started the year on a tear but slumped after being promoted to Double-A in mid-May.
Pinango will become Rule 5 Draft-eligible this winter, meaning the Blue Jays will have to add him to their 40-man roster in November.
Rivera, the Cubs' third-round pick in 2023, owns a .169/.277/.260 slash line with four homers and 16 RBIs in 68 games at Double-A this season. The 23-year-old has played exclusively at shortstop this year after splitting time at three infield spots last summer.
Toronto recalled right-hander Ryan Burr from Triple-A Buffalo to take Pearson's spot in the bullpen. The club also transferred closer Jordan Romano to the 60-day injured list.
The Cubs designated right-hander Jesus Tinoco for assignment to make room for Pearson on their 40-man roster.