Former Brewers trade success flees NL Central for Angels deal

After first emerging as a key arm acquired via trade for the Milwaukee Brewers under manager Craig Counsell, veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz has managed to cash in following a highly successful comeback season in 2025. He also played under Counsell that year, this time as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

Now, just as his performance in Milwaukee during the second half of the 2019 season led to a four-year, $34 million contract with the San Diego Padres, his performance on the North Side of Chicago last year has earned him a one-year, $4 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. That may seem like a significant financial downgrade, but for Pomeranz, who didn't pitch in MLB from 2022-2024 and turned 37 last month, it's a contract he almost surely wasn't expecting to earn before his surprising success with the Cubs.

Former Milwaukee Brewers trade success Drew Pomeranz flees NL Central for Los Angeles Angels deal

In 2019, the Brewers paid a hefty price in order to acquire Pomeranz from the San Francisco Giants, surrendering top infield prospect at the time Mauricio Dubon. Pomeranz experienced inconsistent results throughout his career up to that point, but he dominated once coming to Milwaukee, producing a 2.39 ERA over 25 games, which included 12 holds and two saves.

This stretch ultimately netted Pomeranz a nice payday from the Padres, as previously mentioned. While he continued to pitch well for two seasons in San Diego, injuries limited him to just 44.1 innings from 2020-2021.

Pomeranz remained out of the big leagues until this season, when the Cubs acquired him in a trade with the Seattle Mariners and gave him another opportunity at the highest level. He made the most of it, going unscored upon over his first 23.1 innings. A dominant stretch that spanned 26 appearances and more than two months.

Overall, the 37-year-old finished the 2025 campaign with a 2.17 ERA over 49.2 innings pitched. He became a free agent at season’s end, and now looks to continue that success with the Angels, who seemingly are in constant need of reliable arms in their bullpen.

Pomeranz’s resurgence ultimately proved he can still thrive at the highest level. Now, after rediscovering success once again under Counsell in the NL Central, he takes that momentum to the West Coast as a pitcher who has clearly shown he still has it.