CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians have announced the signing of veteran relief pitcher Paul Sewald to a one-year contract valued at $7 million. The deal, which includes a mutual option for the 2026 season worth $10 million, is part of the team's strategy to strengthen its already formidable bullpen.
Sewald, who is 34 years old, brings with him considerable experience after playing eight seasons in Major League Baseball. Last year, he recorded a 4.31 ERA and 16 saves with the Arizona Diamondbacks, though he struggled with injuries and lost his closer role mid-season.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Sewald’s contract consists of a $1 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary for the upcoming season, with the chance to earn up to $500,000 additional based on performance bonuses tied to relief appearances.
The Las Vegas native came to prominence during his time with the Seattle Mariners. After debuting with the New York Mets back in 2017, Sewald found a new lease on his career with Seattle, achieving success as he won 10 games and posted impressive stats, including 70 saves across the last three seasons.
Despite his setbacks with Arizona, his previous performance suggests potential for rebound. Sewald entered the 2024 season recovering from injury—he missed the start of the season due to a strained oblique—and he faced additional challenges, including losing his job as the closer and being inactive late in the season due to discomfort on his left side.
The Guardians, who had a remarkable 2024 season with a 92-69 record and advanced to the American League Championship Series, seem poised to capitalize on Sewald’s abilities as they gear up to defend their AL Central title. The team will kick off its 2025 campaign on March 27 against the Kansas City Royals.
Headlined as Cleveland’s most recent bold move, the signing serves not only as the acquisition of Sewald as a capable setup pitcher for closer Emmanuel Clase but also emphasizes the Guardians' commitment to enhancing their roster. With Sewald backing Clase, fans will be eager to see how this partnership flourishes on the mound.
On social media, the Guardians shared the news of Sewald's signing enthusiastically, stating, "We have signed free agent RHP Paul Sewald to a 2025 Major League contract with a Mutual Option for 2026." The tweet was clearly framed to energize the fanbase, indicating hope for continued success.
Strategically, the Guardians have made room for Sewald by designatusing right-hander Pedro Avila, who had been effective last season with a 3.25 ERA across 50 games. His departure signifies the competitive nature of the roster adjustments as the team aims to maintain its winning momentum.
While Sewald's statistics from the past season may raise some eyebrows, particularly his subpar ERA and the challenges faced during 39.2 innings pitched, his track record could provide valuable experience and depth to the Guardians’ bullpen. His numbers reflect capability, with 84 saves and consistent strikeout rates accumulated over his eight-year career.
From the onset of the 2025 season, expectations will be high. How well Sewald can acclimate to the Guardians' pitching strategies and reestablish himself as one of the game’s reliable bullpen arms will be pivotal for the team's campaign.
Fans and analysts alike will closely monitor not just the performance of Sewald but also how this move affects the overall dynamics of the Guardians' bullpen, which was previously one of baseball's best. With the competitive AL Central on the horizon, all eyes will be focused on how the Guardians tackle both their title defense and the upcoming challenges on the diamond.
This week’s signing of Paul Sewald is part of what appears to be broader efforts by Cleveland to utilize experienced players to fortify their playoff ambitions. The Guardians’ management is clearly leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for another intense season of baseball.