Mariners sign former All-Star pitcher for 2025 comeback in classic Jerry Dipoto move

The Mariners have made it a point to acquire unproven pitchers looking to make a name for themselves. They have done a really good job of it too, turning players that many don't recognize into household names.

They have also recently decided to take chances on veterans looking to re-establish themselves on a roster, similar to what they did with Dallas Keuchel last offseason.

And they've done it again, this time adding a former All-Star and one of the better starting pitchers in the game for a couple of years before injuries forced him into a relief role.

Jerry Dipoto adds former All-Star Drew Pomeranz to bullpen in hopes of massive bounce back

Jerry Dipoto is bringing Drew Pomeranz in on a minor-league deal that will surely include an invite to spring training. Pomeranz, once the fifth overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, was ranked as high as the 24th overall prospect in the game in 2012. Scouts raved about his elite curveball and the upside that he could eventually become a No. 2 starting pitcher someday.

A key piece in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, Pomeranz spent three years with the Rockies before being sent to Oakland. The 2016 season was a true breakout year for Pomeranz, as he would throw a then-career-high 170 2/3 innings with an impressive 3.32 ERA, earning his first and only All-Star nod. 2017 was another solid year for the lefty (3.32 ERA and 173 2/3 innings). After the back-to-back breakout years, things started to fall apart for Pomeranz, and he just couldn't stay healthy.

A shift to the bullpen midway through 2019 saw a complete resurgence for him, and that should be what the Mariners are hoping to capture. Pomeranz hasn't pitched professionally since the 2021 season, but from 2019-2021, he was quite frankly one of the best left-handed relievers in the game. In those 2.5 years, Pomeranz threw 70 2/3 innings, for a 1.91 ERA. He flexed his elite strikeout capability by maintaining a 13.2 K/9 and solid 3.6 BB/9.

The Mariners current crop of left-handed pitchers includes both Tayler Saucedo and Gabe Speier. After that, there isn't much to turn to. Saucedo and Speier both faced their own struggles last year, with the Mariners not having any other lefty options.

Pomeranz shouldn't be expected to start at all. His path to a big-league roster is in the bullpen, with the hopes he can regain some of that 2019-2021 success. Pomeranz taking that chance with the Mariners is a great opportunity for him because of Seattle's ability to resurrect pitchers' careers. This is also a great move for Seattle as there is virtually no risk, but the reward could be massive.