Once-dominant Brewers trade deadline addition is now dealing for their biggest rival

A former key trade deadline acquisition for the Milwaukee Brewers is making some noise for their biggest rival, the Chicago Cubs. In his return to the big leagues, Drew Pomeranz has not only reunited with manager Craig Counsell, but he's quickly become a major weapon in the Cubs' bullpen and may be playing his way into a closer role.

Back when David Stearns was calling the shots in the front office and Craig Counsell was making decisions in the dugout for the Brewers, they added southpaw Drew Pomeranz at the 2019 trade deadline. At the time, Pomeranz had been struggling with the Giants, but Milwaukee still parted ways with prospect Mauricio Dubon and pitcher Ray Black in order to acquire him.

Once in Milwaukee, Pomeranz thrived out of the bullpen by posting a 2.39 ERA over his final 26.1 innings of the season. His strong finish to the season helped him net a four-year, $34.0 million deal with the Padres. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his time there as he underwent surgeries in 2021 and 2023, but he did perform well when healthy, as evidenced by a 1.62 ERA over 47 games with San Diego.

After three seasons away from MLB, Drew Pomeranz is back and thriving in the Chicago Cubs bullpen

This year, Pomeranz began the season in the Seattle Mariners minor league system, but Chicago traded for him in a deal that involved cash considerations. Reunited with Counsell and in the big leagues again for the first time since 2021, Pomeranz is once again finding success. The now 36-year-old lefty has not allowed an earned run through his first 12 appearances with the Cubs.

With Porter Hodge on the injured list and Ryan Pressly sporting a 5.40 ERA, it may not be much longer before Pomeranz finds himself with regular closing opportunities for the Cubs. He already notched one save on May 12 and has been appearing in more high-leverage situations as of late.

It is quite possible that this former Brewers deadline star has the same impact that he did back in 2019 during the Brewers' Wild Card run, but this time we will be working against Milwaukee as the Cubs look to maintain their lead in the division.