As spring training draws closer, the Seattle Mariners continue their annual process of reinforcing pitching depth, adding another arm to the organization with a modest but intriguing trade. On Thursday, Seattle acquired right-handed pitcher Yosver Zulueta from the Cincinnati Reds, opting to strike a deal with a Midwest club—just not the one many fans had been hoping for.
With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, the Mariners are clearly focused on stacking as much pitching depth as possible. Zulueta fits that familiar mold. Originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Cuba in 2019, Zulueta entered professional baseball thanks to international bonus pool space Toronto received in the Kendrys Morales trade. After working his way through the Blue Jays’ system, his career took a winding path that ultimately landed him in Cincinnati.
Toronto designated Zulueta for assignment ahead of the 2024 season, after which the Reds claimed him off waivers. His availability to Seattle came after Cincinnati signed veteran reliever Pierce Johnson to a one-year contract, opening a roster spot and allowing the Mariners to step in. While the move may not generate headlines, it reflects Seattle’s continued willingness to take chances on pitchers with intriguing raw traits.
The trade may have also stirred some frustration among Mariners fans, many of whom were hoping for a splashier deal—particularly one involving the St. Louis Cardinals. Speculation surrounding potential targets such as Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, or JoJo Romero has dominated offseason chatter, especially after national commentary reignited those rumors. Instead, Seattle pivoted toward a quieter addition in Zulueta.
Zulueta, whose name is pronounced “YOZE-ver zoo-loo-etta,” has spent the past two seasons bouncing between Triple-A Louisville and the major leagues with Cincinnati. His big-league experience has been limited, placing him firmly in the “Quad-A” category—a player talented enough to reach the majors but not yet consistent enough to stick. That profile, however, is one the Mariners have had success developing in the past.
On the mound, Zulueta is known as a sinker-slider pitcher with an ability to generate swings and misses. His stuff allows him to rack up strikeouts, but control has been a recurring issue throughout his professional career. Command lapses have prevented him from fully capitalizing on his raw ability, leading to inconsistent results and frequent roster shuffling.
That combination of strengths and weaknesses likely appealed to Seattle’s pitching development group. The Mariners have built a reputation for refining arms with strong movement and velocity, often helping pitchers make adjustments that unlock more consistent performance. Zulueta’s power repertoire gives the organization plenty to work with, particularly if they can help him improve his command within the strike zone.
For now, Zulueta projects as organizational depth with upside. He could compete for bullpen innings, shuttle between Triple-A and the majors, or simply serve as another option in case injuries arise. While the move lacks flash, it aligns with Seattle’s broader strategy of building pitching volume and trusting its development infrastructure.
As spring training approaches, Zulueta represents another low-risk, high-reward arm added to the Mariners’ pitching pile—one that could quietly pay dividends if everything clicks.
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