One of the first moves of the Major League Baseball involves a relief pitcher that Chicago Cubs fans wish they could forget. Being that Nate Pearson was released by the Cubs before the end of the regular season, he was one of a handful of free agents who could sign at any point this winter. On Friday, Pearson inked a one-year deal with the Houston Astros.
When the Cubs traded for Pearson ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline, it was clear to see why Jed Hoyer made the gamble. A former first-round pick with the Toronto Blue Jays, Pearson was armed with a fastball that could reach triple digits, and if his command issues could be solved, would have been an ideal arm for the team to have at the backend of their bullpen.