Speculation as to whether the Chicago Cubs will be big-time buyers or big-time sellers at this season’s MLB trade deadline will have to go on at least another day after Saturday’s move to acquire Nate Pearson to add a power arm to the Cubs arsenal. Pearson is brought in from the Toronto Blue Jays, who like the Cubs, find themselves under .500 in years they should be competing, but unlike them do not have a strong farm system.
In the deal the Toronto Blue Jays acquired OF Yohendrick Pinango and IF Josh Rivera. Both players were with the Cubs AA affiliate and having tough seasons. Pinango is the more accomplished of the pair, but Rivera is younger, more highly touted, and has ascended levels at a quicker pace. The deal gives Chicago a chance to fix Nate Pearson, a former first-round pick who has yet to turn his upside into production at the major league level. To accommodate Pearson, Chicago designated recently acquired reliever Jesus Tinoco for assignment.
