Here's Why Seattle Mariners Lost Former All-Star to Chicago Cubs in April Trade

Drew Pomeranz, who was in spring training camp with the Seattle Mariners and pitched for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in April, has excelled since being traded to the Chicago Cubs on April 21.

The 36-year-old lefty has appeared in 14 games, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He's struck out 14 batters in 12.2 innings and is part of a Cubs team that is currently leading the National League Central.

There's little doubt that Pomeranz could have been useful to the M's bullpen, so why did they trade him away? Bob Nightengale of USA Today had more on that front this weekend.

He was still at Class AAA Tacoma in April when he believed he deserved a promotion. So, he exercised an upward mobility clause in his contract requiring the Mariners to either promote him or try trading him to a team willing to put him on their big-league team. The Cubs and Craig Counsell – who managed Pomeranz in Milwaukee – gave him a call.