Nate Pearson is a free agent to be claimed, and the Toronto Blue Jays make some sense as a landing spot for the pitcher who started his career in their own system.
The Astros designated Pearson for assignment yesterday, opening a real opportunity for a low-cost bullpen add around the league.
Pearson posted a 3.60 ERA across 16 appearances with Houston this season, allowing just one home run over 20 innings.
That's a decent surface number, though his underlying metrics tell a more complicated story. His 19.0 percent strikeout rate and 14.3 percent walk rate both grade out below average, especially the control.
His expected numbers actually point to an ERA closer to the low or mid 4.00s, suggesting Houston's decision to move on wasn't purely about performance.
Toronto knows Pearson's ceiling better than almost anyone. He was the Blue Jays' first-round pick who once touched triple digits on the radar gun before a trade sent him to Houston.
A reunion here would cost Toronto almost nothing given Pearson's affordable $1.35 million salary, with only about $510,000 remaining on it for the rest of the season.
Why Toronto's bullpen situation makes this an easy look
Toronto's pitching staff has dealt with plenty of instability all season, and a low-cost depth arm with big league experience fits a real organizational need right now.
Jeff Hoffman's stolen base issues and John Schneider's own frustration with the pitching staff make added bullpen depth an easy sell regardless of Pearson's flaws.
Claiming him off waivers requires no trade compensation, just a willingness to take on his existing salary, making this about as low-risk as a roster move gets.
It's a bit like picking up a player at a garage sale, knowing the tools might need a little work but the price makes it worth the gamble regardless.
Would Pearson's control issues actually improve pitching in front of Toronto's stronger defense, the same way Dylan Cease's numbers have benefited since arriving in Toronto?
Toronto opens a series against Tampa Bay tonight, and a waiver claim like this one could happen at almost any point during that stretch if the front office decides to pull the trigger.
Should the Blue Jays claim Nate Pearson off waivers from the Astros?
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