Chicago Cubs Trade for Veteran Left-Hander Drew Pomeranz

The Chicago Cubs have completed a trade with the Seattle Mariners for Drew Pomeranz. In exchange for the 36-year-old veteran southpaw, the Chicago Cubs are sending cash to the Mariners. Pomeranz hasn’t made any appearances in the majors since 2021 and was just recently signed by Seattle, but he figures to play a major role in picking up the slack for Justin Steele, who is out for the year with a left elbow injury.

Chicago Cubs Add Drew Pomeranz

The Chicago Cubs went out and added another arm to their pitching staff Monday night by completing a trade with the Seattle Mariners. In exchange for cash considerations, the Cubs are acquiring Pomeranz. Pomeranz, 36, signed a minor league deal with Seattle on March 27 and has made nine appearances with AAA Tacoma. With the Chicago Cubs, Pomeranz will start out with AAA Iowa.

In his 11-year career, Pomeranz has appeared in 289 games, 140 as a starter, amassing a record of 48-58 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, nine saves and 48 holds in 858.1 innings with six different teams. In his best season, 2016 with the San Diego Padres, Pomeranz went 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 102 innings across 17 starts. He was named an All-Star for that season. Pomeranz was also a part of the 2018 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series.

With the Chicago Cubs, Pomeranz will start with their AAA affiliate, the Iowa Cubs. Pomeranz hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2021 but is anticipated to join the major league team at some point during 2025. Pomeranz has prior experience dealing with Chicago Cubs skipper Craig Counsell. The tandem spent time with each other in 2019 as part of the Milwaukee Brewers organization. The injury to Steele and the struggles of Jordan Wicks have created a need for a southpaw who can offer some length either out of the bullpen or as a starter.