Cubs pick up aging reliever off the scrap heap in hopes of solidifying the bullpen

It's not a move worth getting bent out of shape over. Let's just start with that because, judging by the posts on X, there are way too many Chicago Cubs fans overreacting to the news that the team acquired veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.

Pomeranz hasn't pitched in an MLB game since 2021 and had been pitching at the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate to open the 2025 season. A clause in his contract made the trade possible, and the Cubs are reportedly going to add him to the 26-man roster ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

Left-handed relief help has been an area of concern for the Cubs for years. This year's options - Caleb Thielbar (4.00 ERA in 10 appearances) and Luke Little (13.50 ERA in one appearance) - haven't exactly been lockdown, but there's little reason to believe Pomeranz is going to be the shutdown lefty the team needs.

His strikeout numbers at Triple-A Tacoma are intriguing (14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings) - and after optioning Little back to Iowa this week, the Cubs could use another southpaw in the pen alongside Thielbar. There's virtually no risk with the move, but it should come with no expectations, either. He's been battling injuries and attempting to return to the big leagues for years to no avail, but given the make-up of the Chicago pen, it's worth rolling the dice.

Can Drew Pomeranz turn back the clock one more time with the Cubs?

Pomeranz has had an eventful MLB career, first a starter for the better part of a decade before looking like he'd flamed out, only to experience a resurgence as a reliever. Out of the bullpen, he's worked to a 2.42 ERA in 149 appearances, averaging north of 11 strikeouts per nine - all numbers far beyond what he ever sustained as a starter.

His late-career renaissance began under current Cubs manager Craig Counsell in Milwaukee, so in a best-case scenario, this reunion brings a fruitful return for the team in the short term. In a corresponding move, Chicago has sent Jordan Wicks back to Triple-A after a pair of dirty appearances in recent days.

Seeing Jed Hoyer scour for any and all potential solutions to his bullpen problem, I can't help but dwell a bit on the Cubs' unsuccessful pursuit of All-Star lefty Tanner Scott. He's been lights-out for the Dodgers, posting a 2.25 ERA in a league-leading 12 appearances so far and, frankly, has an arsenal well beyond anything you'll find in Chicago's pen.