TRADE: Blue Jays Send Nate Pearson To NL Central

Nate Pearson's tenure in Toronto with the Blue Jays never panned out the way it should have. Now, it's over, as he becomes the next Jays reliever (following Yimi Garcia on Friday) to be dealt, heading to the Chicago Cubs.

The Blue Jays are trading reliever Nate Pearson to the Cubs, per @JesseRogersESPN pic.twitter.com/Jk8Oouo9IY
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 27, 2024

The former first-round pick (2017 MLB Draft) was a top pitching prospect before a never-ending slew of injuries completely derailed his once-promising career. In addition to the usual throwing arm injuries that a pitcher suffers from, Pearson has also battled oblique issues, a flexor strain, a hernia, a lat strain, a broken arm from a line drive, and even mono.

Over the course of the last five years, he's pitched just 115 innings in the big leagues, including 40 this season, in which he's posted a 5.63 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP, and the saving grace: 11.5 K/9.

But his career mark of a 5.21 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP has left plenty to be desired. The Cubs are hoping they get a rejuvenated Pearson with a fresh start in a new organization. He's under team control for two more seasons, and the Cubbies are hoping he'll turn the corner at Wrigley Field.

In return, Toronto gets outfielder Yohendrick Pinango and infielder Josh Rivera, both minor leaguers. Pinango was the 29th ranked prospect in the Cubs system per MLB Pipeline, and has slashed .223/.316/.345 with four homers in 225 plate appearances in Double-A this year, his first taste of pro ball above Single-A.

Rivera was the 23rd-ranked Cubs prospect this season, but has slashed just .169/.277/.260 in 253 plate appearances at Double-A.