Former Mariners closer signs with Guardians after downfall with Diamondbacks

Former Seattle Mariners’ closer Paul Sewald has found a new home. After a disastrous stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, Sewald will be looking to bounce back with the Cleveland Guardians in 2025. The right-hander inked a one-year, $7 million deal with the Guardians that includes a mutual option for the 2026 season.

Mariners fans will remember Sewald as the anchor of Seattle’s bullpen from 2021-2023. During his two-plus years in the Emerald City, Sewald made 172 appearances out of the Mariners bullpen and recorded 52 saves while striking out 236 batters.

Former Mariners closer Paul Sewald signs with Guardians after downfall with Diamondbacks

But with their playoff hopes teetering in 2023, the Mariners made the decision to deal Sewald to the up-and-coming Arizona Diamondbacks at the MLB trade deadline. Seattle secured Ryan Bliss, Dominic Canzone, and Josh Rojas in exchange for the final year-plus of Sewald’s arbitration window.

Right-handed reliever Paul Sewald and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2026 season.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 22, 2025

Unfortunately, Sewald’s time in the desert was dreadful. Though the right-hander was on cruise control through the final two months of Arizona’s 2023 campaign and was instrumental in helping them advance to the World Series against the Texas Rangers, things fell apart at the worst possible time.

The Rangers got to Sewald in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Fall Classic, a game Arizona would lose in extra innings after the reliever blew his first save of the postseason. Sewald was then called upon once again in Game 5 with the Diamondbacks trailing 1-0. He surrendered four runs, and Arizona went on to lose the series and their chance at the World Championship.

Sewald’s 2024 season began with a trip to the IL, but after returning to the bump in early-May, the righty made 18 appearances, racked up 11 saves, and posted a minuscule 0.54 ERA. Sewald collapsed when the calendar flipped to July, though, helping to torpedo his team’s chances of contention.

The right-hander blew his first save on July 2 and watched his ERA balloon to 4.39 in just a month’s time. The D-backs removed Sewald from the closer’s role over the second half of the season, and he ended the year with a troublesome 4.31 ERA and four blown saves.

The Guardians are now giving Sewald an opportunity to get things pointed in the right direction. With Emmanuel Clase locking down the ninth inning for Cleveland, Sewald will likely fall into a setup role as they look to repeat as AL Central champions in 2025.