The Arizona Diamondbacks are reinforcing their bullpen with a familiar face, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with veteran reliever Paul Sewald. The deal, which is pending a physical, marks a return to the desert for Sewald after brief stints elsewhere.
Arizona competes in one of Major League Baseball’s most demanding divisions. Sharing the National League West with the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers and a talented San Diego Padres squad known for its dominant bullpen, the Diamondbacks face stiff competition on a nightly basis. Despite that, the organization believes it has enough core talent to contend for at least a Wild Card berth, and adding experienced depth remains a priority as spring activities ramp up.
Sewald, now 35, brings nearly a decade of big-league experience. He debuted in 2017 with the New York Mets before eventually finding his stride with the Seattle Mariners. During his time in Seattle, Sewald emerged as a dependable late-inning arm, posting a strong 2.88 ERA across 172 appearances. His performance there established him as a reliable bullpen option and made him an attractive trade piece.
Midway through the 2023 season, Seattle dealt Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade deadline move aimed at bolstering Arizona’s relief corps. In 20 regular-season outings for the Diamondbacks that year, he delivered a solid 3.57 ERA. However, his postseason run was more uneven, as he recorded a 5.40 ERA over 10 playoff appearances.
Sewald remained with Arizona for the following season, appearing in 42 games and posting a 4.32 ERA. After departing the Diamondbacks in 2025, he split time between the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers. Across 22 appearances with those two clubs, Sewald registered a 4.58 ERA and finished with a slightly negative WAR, signaling some regression compared to his peak Mariners years.
As he heads into the 2026 campaign, it may be unrealistic to expect Sewald to replicate the dominance he once displayed in Seattle. Still, Arizona’s front office views this move as a calculated gamble with minimal financial risk. At just $1.5 million, the contract represents an affordable way to add a seasoned arm who is already familiar with the clubhouse and coaching staff.
For the Diamondbacks, this signing is less about star power and more about depth and flexibility. If Sewald rebounds and provides steady innings, the deal will look like a bargain. If he struggles, the modest investment makes it easy for the team to adjust course without significant long-term consequences. In a division where every edge matters, adding a veteran presence like Sewald could prove to be a savvy, low-risk move as Arizona continues shaping its roster for another postseason push.
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