The New York Mets have finalized a minor trade, sending right-handed pitcher Michael Hobbs to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. The move was first reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic and marks a small but notable transaction for both clubs.
Hobbs, a 25-year-old minor league pitcher, had recently joined the Mets organization in December through the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. The trade allows the Mets to gain financial flexibility while giving Seattle additional bullpen depth.
Hobbs Journey from Dodgers Draft Pick to Promising Mariners Bullpen Addition
Hobbs began his professional baseball career when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the tenth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He remained in their system until December 2023, when the Mets acquired him via the minor league Rule 5 Draft.
Unlike the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, this selection did not require the Mets to keep Hobbs on their active roster, allowing them to freely assign him to the minors. However, his tenure with the Mets was short-lived, as he never appeared in an official game for the organization before being dealt to Seattle.
Despite limited professional experience, Hobbs has shown promise as a reliever in the minor leagues. After a rough start in his draft year, he improved significantly at the High-A and Double-A levels. In 2023, he recorded a solid 2.97 ERA over 57 2/3 innings across 42 appearances.
While his strikeout rate of 21.8% was decent, his high 12.6% walk rate remains a concern. However, his ability to induce groundballs at an impressive 52.7% rate helps mitigate the impact of his control issues. These attributes make him a potentially valuable asset for Seattle’s bullpen.
Hobbs Faces Competition but Has a Path to MLB Debut in 2024
Now in the Mariners organization, Hobbs is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Tacoma. This will mark his first experience at the Triple-A level, and a strong performance there could open the door for a big league call-up.
However, he faces competition from other relievers in the Mariners’ system, including Cody Bolton, Hagen Danner, and Eduard Bazardo, who are ahead of him in the depth chart. If Hobbs can refine his control and continue inducing groundballs effectively, he may have a chance to make his MLB debut later in the season.
The trade reflects both teams’ organizational depth and strategy. The Mets already had a deep bullpen in Triple-A, with pitchers like Kevin Herget, Huascar Brazoban, and Austin Warren positioned ahead of Hobbs. This made him expendable for a minor financial return.
Meanwhile, the Mariners gain a potential bullpen arm who, despite his command issues, has shown enough promise to be worth a look. If he continues to develop, he could provide valuable relief innings for Seattle at some point during the 2024 season.
