The Arizona Diamondbacks made a crucial move to bolster their bullpen on Monday by acquiring right-hander Paul Sewald from the Seattle Mariners. In exchange, the Diamondbacks sent infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder/first baseman Dominic Canzone, and infielder Ryan Bliss to Seattle.
The Diamondbacks have been struggling to close out games this season, and acquiring a reliable closer was a top priority for them heading into the trade deadline. Sewald has been one of the Mariners’ most reliable relievers this season, recording 21 saves with a 2.93 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 43 innings. The 33-year-old Sewald is under club control until the end of the 2024 season, making him an attractive addition for the Diamondbacks.
Manager Torey Lovullo expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating that it made a big statement and showed that the team is committed to pushing in the right direction. The Diamondbacks have not had a shutdown closer since Fernando Rodney saved 39 games for them in 2017.
General manager Mike Hazen highlighted the importance of finding a long-term solution for their closer role, stating that they wanted to avoid dealing with the issue in the upcoming offseason. By acquiring Sewald, the Diamondbacks hope to not only improve their bullpen for this season but also for future playoff runs.
The Diamondbacks have struggled in recent weeks, dropping 18 of their last 26 games and 11 of their last 14 in the second half of the season. The addition of Sewald is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the team’s bullpen and help them close out games more effectively.
In a smaller move on Monday evening, the Diamondbacks also acquired infielder Jace Peterson from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league right-hander Chad Patrick. Peterson will provide depth in the infield, especially with the injury to third baseman Evan Longoria, who was placed on the injured list with