The Chicago Cubs made their first transaction of the 2024 MLB trade deadline cycle, and it wasn’t a move to offload assets. Rather, the Cubs chose to deal two top-30 prospects in their pipeline for a reliever with two years of control after the 2024 season. According to various reports, the Cubs acquired right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango.
Pearson was the Blue Jays’ top prospect as recently as 2021, with potential as a high-level starter in the future. Unfortunately, he never made it as a starter, and the organization immediately shifted him to a relief role. He has a lifetime 5.21 ERA but possesses the potential that the Cubs seek.
Pearson’s major pitches include a high-90s fastball, a slider, and a curveball. This season, he incorporates a sinker and a split-finger, but only rarely. Pearson’s fastball features 95th-percentile velocity and a high swing-and-miss rate. You may view his whole profile here.
In terms of Cubs prospects, Rivera and Pinango were placed 23rd and 29th in the top 30. Rivera was a third-round pick in 2023 out of Florida, and Pinango signed with the Cubs in 2018. Rivera hit.169/.277/.260 at Double-A Tennessee. Pinango, 22, has a.263/.363/.434 slash line between High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee.
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For the Cubs, this is a good, high-potential move. Rivera and Pinango did not fit into the current plans, and having two years of control over Pearson following the 2024 season is consistent with Jed Hoyer’s comments about acquiring assets for 2025 and beyond. Overall, this is an excellent transaction for the Cubs, but they are likely far from done. Jed Hoyer is running out of time to convince ownership that he is the proper man to lead the Cubs to the top in the foreseeable future.
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