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The Toronto Blue Jays have traded reliever Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs
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    The Toronto Blue Jays have traded reliever Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs

    TORONTO—The Toronto Blue Jays traded Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, according to multiple industry sources. The team parted ways with the 2017 first-round pick, once the crown jewel of its farm system, who struggled to translate his immense talent to the big leagues.

    Coming back are two low-level prospects – double-A outfielder Yohendrick Pinango, ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the Cubs system by Baseball America, and infielder Josh Rivera, according to the sources.

    Pinango, 22, is hitting .223/.316/.345 in 55 games with Tennessee after posting a 1.061 OPS in 29 games during his fourth time through high-A South Bend this season.

    Rivera, a 23-year-old third-round pick of the Cubs in 2023, is batting .169/.277/.260 in 68 games with Tennessee.

    The return is demonstrative of where Pearson’s value has gone since he was ranked as baseball’s seventh-best prospect by Baseball America in 2020.

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    Now 27, Pearson debuted as a starter in 2020 but then fought through injuries before getting right in 2023, when he transitioned into a bullpen role. He showed flashes of dominance with his triple-digit velocity that year, striking out 43 batters in 42.2 innings with a 1.266 WHIP, but he took steps back this year, posting a 5.63 ERA in 40 innings over 41 appearances despite 51 strikeouts.

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    In a surprising move, the Toronto Blue Jays have traded promising young reliever Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs. The trade, which was announced earlier today, has left many Blue Jays fans scratching their heads and wondering what the team’s front office is thinking.

    Pearson, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft, was once considered one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. With a fastball that regularly touched triple digits and a devastating slider, Pearson was expected to be a key piece of the Blue Jays’ bullpen for years to come.

    However, Pearson has struggled to stay healthy since making his MLB debut in 2020. He missed significant time with elbow and groin injuries last season and has yet to find his groove in 2021. In 13 appearances this season, Pearson has posted a 6.64 ERA and has looked lost on the mound at times.

    The Cubs, who are currently in the midst of a rebuild, are hoping that a change of scenery will help Pearson rediscover his form. Chicago’s pitching coach has a reputation for working wonders with young pitchers, and the Cubs are banking on him being able to unlock Pearson’s potential.

    As for the Blue Jays, they are likely looking to shore up their roster for a playoff push. With a crowded bullpen and several other young pitchers waiting in the wings, the team felt comfortable parting ways with Pearson in exchange for some much-needed depth at another position.

    Only time will tell if this trade will pay off for both teams. Pearson has all the tools to be a dominant reliever in the majors, but he will need to stay healthy and make some adjustments to his game in order to reach his full potential. In the meantime, Blue Jays fans will have to trust in their team’s front office and hope that this trade ultimately works out in their favor.