Chicago Cubs: Blue Jays’ tantalizing prospects key in Craig Kimbrel trade

Chicago Cubs: Could Craig Kimbrel bring back a former first-rounder?

Should the Blue Jays be looking to make a power move, they would set their bullpen up nicely for 2022 with a dominant tandem of Jordan Romano, Kirby Yates (once back and healthy) and Craig Kimbrel.

That being said; looking at a potential return for Kimbrel, the Toronto Blue Jays boast five shortstops in their top 12 prospects, along with five total players in the league’s top 100, respectively.

Their top prospect and #9 overall talent according to MLB Pipeline, Nate Pearson is a right-hander currently on the IL with a groin issue in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons. He has seen big league time, but in a small sample size posts a 6.64 ERA in only 20 1/3 innings between 2020 and 2021. The 24-year-old has posted much better numbers in his minor league career with a 2.61 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 148 frames. 

It is doubtful Toronto would be looking to let go of their top-ranked arm, so let’s turn back to stock of shortstops currently sitting in the Jays’ top 12 prospects.