Paul Sewald has made an impact no matter what club he has been attached to. Be it his 2017 debut with the New York Mets where he demanded the league’s attention, primarily with strong deliveries of his fastball and slider, his immaculate 3 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, or his impressive 2023 performance where he was key in securing the Arizona Diamondbacks postseason run. While he may have slid in his overall stats in 2024, the right-handed pitcher can offer any team in playoff contention the extra push they need to close out games and add to the win column as the reliever looks to secure his reputation in 2025.
Paul Sewald Looks to Build on an Impressive Career
2023 saw Sewald transfer his talents to the desert, where in 20 appearances, his ERA was 3.57 with 20 strikeouts. Once he reached the postseason as the Dbacks’ closer, Sewald went 8 scoreless innings en route to the World Series. Game one against the Texas Rangers saw him blow the first save of his playoff run, giving up 2 runs in the 9th as the Snakes would eventually fall in extra innings. His next appearance would be in the 9th inning of game 5, with the DBacks trailing 1-0. Unfortunately, the closer would give up 4 runs en route to a series loss.
Despite a bitter end to 2023, Sewald would begin his 2024 season, albeit late due to an oblique strain, with an ERA of .54 on 11 of 11 saves. As the season progressed, however, injuries would resurface and limit him to under 40 innings pitched. After an impressive July, Sewald’s performances would slip bad enough for DBacks manager Torey Lovullo demoting him from the closer role on August 2nd of the 2024 season. This fall from grace only amplified the pitching woes of the Diamondbacks in August and September of 2024, ultimately leaving the Snakes high and dry when it came to the playoff picture.
Potential Landing Spots
Despite a temporary setback in 2024, Paul Sewald’s value to potential suitors remains intact. His impressive track record and skills make him an attractive asset for any team seeking to bolster its bullpen. While a return to the desert is possible, several other destinations could be a good fit for the relief pitcher. Here are some potential landing spots for Sewald in 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers
One often-acknowledged landing spot for the veteran closer is Los Angeles, who despite having a strong bullpen, deferred to a “closer by committee” approach for parts of the season. The addition of Sewald could add a solid closer to LA’s rotation, or he could simply add to the variety and choice currently available for nightly assignments. Coming off a World Series win doesn’t hurt the appeal either, as the Dodgers are poised for another successful season and run at the postseason. Despite some recent interest from Sewald and fans alike, LA isn’t the only potential landing spot as the veteran reliever looks to secure his reputation in 2025.
Doesn’t have to be the closer but could be a back end of the pen piece. https://t.co/h5wykizHRM
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) November 15, 2024
Toronto Blue Jays
A Canadian shade of blue could also be in the cards for the veteran pitcher. Recent interest in rebuilding the bullpen in Toronto has led to speculation that Sewald could fit perfectly up north, with the hope that he would return to the efficient closer he was in 2023. The Blue Jays are in rebuild mode, recently hiring fired Cincinnati Reds Manager David Bell as vice president of baseball operations and as assistant general manager. This move signals a commitment toward a new direction, which could easily accommodate a solid relief pitcher like Sewald.
Boston Red Sox
A trip to Boston could also be on the horizon for Sewald. The Red Sox bullpen struggled mightily in 2024, finishing with a 24th-ranked ERA (4.39) and a 25th-ranked WHIP (1.34). The unit also surrendered 80 home runs, the sixth-highest total in the majors. Given these underwhelming numbers, it’s likely that bolstering the bullpen will be a top priority for the Red Sox this offseason. This could make Boston an attractive destination for a competitive relief pitcher like Sewald, who is looking to join a team with a strong desire to improve its pitching staff.
Improving On a Legacy
Boasting an impressive resume, Sewald is poised to solidify his reputation as a top-tier reliever in 2025. With a career ERA of 4.09, 84 saves, 450 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.15 over 359 appearances, he has consistently demonstrated his value in high-pressure situations. Despite a setback in 2024, Sewald is eager to bounce back and prove that his exceptional 2023 campaign was not an anomaly.
With an estimated trade value of $11.6 million, any team investing in Sewald’s contract is making a substantial financial commitment. However, this investment comes with the promise of a battle-tested relief pitcher hungry to regain his form and contribute to a competitive team.
Main Photo: © Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
