The Guardians made several subtractions to their bullpen this winter, with Eli Morgan and Nick Sandlin in other locations. However, Cleveland added a new face on January 22, in Paul Sewald. The 34-year-old is joining the Guardians on a one-year deal, adding to their existing depth.
A Look at Sewald
Veteran reliever Paul Sewald re-defined himself after moving to Seattle, thanks to a key tweak that helped him get more comfortable.
A former 10th-round pick by the Mets in 2012, Sewald was vocal after leaving the Mets that he was unhappy over their pitch arsenal recommendations. The now-34-year-old stated in 2022 he didn’t like the Mets’ insistence on him throwing sinkers and changeups, as he rather wanted to focus on his four-seam and slider.
Sewald became a two-pitch pitcher with the Mariners and clicked. The ex-Mariner won 10 games and struck out 104 over 64.2 IP with Seattle in 2021, then notched 20 saves as the team’s primary closer a year later in 2022. Sewald then recorded a career-high 34 saves in 2023, spent between Arizona and Seattle.
The Mariners, armed with a deep bullpen that included Andres Munoz, traded Sewald in July 2023 to the D-Backs. His time with the D-Backs was mixed, highlighted by a good regular season late in 2023, a home run allowed to Corey Seager in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series, and injuries that got delayed his 2024 campaign.
Last season with Arizona, Sewald struck out 43 over 39.2 IP but lost the closer’s job in the summer. He got hit around in August, as he conceded two home runs over 9.2 IP. Justin Martinez took over the closer’s job.
As noted previously, Sewald is a two-pitch reliever. One of the two offerings is a four-seamer that sits in the low-90s. It doesn’t have high induced break (13.5” IVB) but often runs to the glove side & comes from a low arm slot, giving it optical rising action.
His other weapon is a sweeping slider that sits in the low-80s. It doesn’t have plus movement but with his arm slot and release, can be tough to pick up. Not to mention, good late action; the sweep looks like it stays up, before darting away.
Oddly enough, Sewald also threw a changeup — a pitch he said he was working on in Spring Training last year — 0.6% of the time in 2024, the first time he used the pitch in three years.
The Guardians confirmed a one-year deal for Paul Sewald, reportedly worth $7MM. Cleveland DFA’d Pedro Avila as a corresponding move.
Analysis
Cleveland’s made significant changes to their bullpen this offseason. The Guardians traded away Nick Sandlin (Blue Jays) and Eli Morgan (Cubs) this winter, the former of whom was part of the Andres Gimenez. Despite those losses, Cleveland was still poised to enter the year with a deep ‘pen.
Closer Emmanuel Clase is still on the roster. Cade Smith was one of the best relievers in all of baseball last year. Plus, Cleveland retains lefties Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski, right-handers plus Hunter Gaddis and Andrew Walters.
Sewald gives manager Stephen Vogt a reliable weapon who can be used in the seventh and eighth innings. But on top of that, Sewald can give opposing batters a very different look, compared to the other right-handed relievers on staff.
The 34-year-old Sewald doesn’t throw as hard compared to Clase, Smith, Walters, etc. But, he throws from a significantly lower arm slot and possesses a different pitch profile. Which, should help in a lot of different matchups.
The addition of Sewald also gives the Guardians a second notable addition amid a quiet offseason. Aside from Sewald, the other notable moves saw the Guardians add Carlos Santana, after trading Josh Naylor to Arizona.