Jun 9, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Nate Pearson (24) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Photo: Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports

Cubs Acquire Reliever Nate Pearson from Blue Jays for Pair of Prospects

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated Jul 27, 2024 5:14 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs made their first deal of the 2024 MLB trade deadline cycle, and it wasn't a move selling off pieces. Rather, the Cubs opted to trade a pair of top-30 prospects in their pipeline to acquire a reliever with two years of control following the 2024 campaign. Per a multiple reports , the Cubs acquired right-hander Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango.

Nate Pearson from Blue Jays to Cubs for IF Josh Rivera and OF Yohendrick Pinango. @JeffPassan and @kileymcd had details 1st
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 27, 2024

Pearson was the Blue Jays' top prospect as recently as 2021, projecting as a high-level starter in the future. Unfortunately, he never panned out as a starter, and the team quickly moved him into a relief role. He owns a career 5.21 ERA but has the upside that the Cubs are looking for.

Pearson's primary offerings are a high-90s fastball, a slider, and a curveball. This season, he's working in a sinker and a split-finger but uses them sparingly. Pearson has 95th-percentile velocity on his fastball and gets a lot of swings and misses. You can check out his full profile here.

As for the Cubs' prospects, Rivera and Pinango were the 23rd- and 29th-ranked prospects, respectively, in the Cubs' top 30. Rivera was a third-round pick in 2023 out of Florida, and Pinango was signed by the Cubs back in 2018. With Double-A Tennessee, Rivera slashed .169/.277/.260. As for Pinango, the 22-year-old owns a .263/.363/.434 slash line between High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee.

For the Cubs, this is a nice, high-upside move. Rivera and Pinango didn't fit into the current plans, and having two years of control on Pearson after the 2024 season is right in line with what Jed Hoyer said about acquiring assets for 2025 and beyond. Overall, this trade is a perfect move for the Cubs, but they're likely far from done. Jed Hoyer is running out of time to prove to ownership that he's the right man to take the Cubs to the top in the near future.