BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Cubs Snag Former All-Star in Under-the-Radar Reshuffle

Veteran Southpaw on the Move: Mariners Deal Drew Pomeranz to Cubs Amid Bullpen Shuffle

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Seattle Mariners have traded veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz to the Chicago Cubs. The 36-year-old former All-Star had been pitching with Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, this season.

Details on what the Mariners received in return haven’t yet been revealed.

While Pomeranz hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors since 2021 with the Padres, he’s quietly put together a solid stretch in the minors. Despite a 4.66 ERA on paper, the veteran reliever has gone scoreless in seven of his nine outings this year—showing flashes of the effectiveness that once made him a big-league All-Star.

Seattle originally signed Pomeranz to a minor league deal back in December. Though he was released at the end of spring training, he re-signed just four days later. His contract featured an upward mobility clause—essentially requiring the Mariners to either promote him or facilitate a trade if another MLB team was ready to offer a major league spot.

Enter the Cubs, who are in desperate need of left-handed pitching help after losing 2023 All-Star Justin Steele to a season-ending UCL injury.

This isn’t the first time the Mariners have dealt bullpen depth to Chicago. Last year, they sent reliever Tyson Miller to the Cubs for infielder Jake Slaughter. Miller thrived in Chicago, notching a 2.15 ERA across 49 relief appearances.

Despite ongoing bullpen shuffling early in the season, Pomeranz hadn’t cracked Seattle’s big-league roster. That changes now—as he’s set to join a Cubs team looking for stability from the left side of the mound.

Meanwhile, the Mariners will look to close out their road trip on a high note as they face the Red Sox in Boston. First pitch is set for 3:45 p.m. PT on Tuesday, with pregame coverage starting at 2:30 on Seattle Sports.