The Chicago Cubs have made their first trade of the season, aligning with the focus President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer outlined ahead of the July 30 deadline.
On Saturday, the Cubs acquired 27-year-old right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays. In exchange, Toronto received minor leaguers Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Piñango. To accommodate Pearson on the 40-man roster, Jesús Tinoco was designated for assignment.
Addressing the situation from the Wrigley Field dugout on Monday, Hoyer clarified his stance on trade strategy.
“Given our current position,” Hoyer said, “we’re primarily looking at moves that benefit us in 2025 and beyond. Unless circumstances change drastically in the next week, we’re unlikely to make moves focused solely on improving this season. Our emphasis will be on long-term benefits, but if we see a significant improvement over the next week, we might reconsider.”
Although Hoyer left room for a possible shift in strategy if the Cubs show significant improvement, they entered Saturday seven games under .500, last in the National League Central, and 6.5 games behind in the NL wild card race.
The acquisition of Pearson reflects Hoyer’s commitment to his stated strategy. Pearson, once a top prospect for the Blue Jays and a top-10 prospect in baseball in 2021, has struggled in the major leagues with a 5.21 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 93 games, including five starts. His career has been hindered by injuries, particularly affecting his ability to pitch in 2022.
Transitioning to the bullpen, Pearson has continued to face challenges. In 2024, he posted a 5.63 ERA in 41 appearances, his worst single-season performance since his debut, although his 4.23 expected ERA suggests some bad luck.
For the Cubs, Pearson represents an intriguing opportunity for a turnaround. He boasts impressive velocity on his four-seam fastball, averaging 97.6 mph (95th percentile) and reaching 100 mph at times. His slider has a 40.7 percent whiff rate, and he also throws a curveball and sinker. These attributes contribute to a 28 percent strikeout rate and a 28.2 percent whiff rate, placing him in the 84th and 72nd percentiles, respectively.
