Diamondbacks Get Closer Paul Sewald in Trade with Mariners

Dominic Canzone, Josh Rojas, and Ryan Bliss heading to Seattle

As first reported by AZ Central's Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks have made a trade to bolster their bullpen by bringing in Seattle Mariner's closer Paul Sewald. They did so at a heavy cost, giving up Dominic Canzone, Josh Rojas, and infield prospect Ryan Bliss. The trade has not yet been announced by the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks will be sending outfielder Dominic Canzone, infielder Josh Rojas and infield prospect Ryan Bliss to the Mariners, according to a source.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) July 31, 2023

Sewald was having a very good season for Seattle. The 33 year old right hander is 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 21 saves and 3 blown saves.  He's allowed two of six inherited runners to score.  Last year he was 20 for 25 in save opportunities while posting a 2.67 ERA.  Sewald was drafted by the New York Mets back in 2012 and spent nine years with that organization. Signed by the Mariners as a free agent in 2021, overall for the last three season combined  he has a 2.88 ERA backed by a 3.35 FIP.  He will be a free agent after the 2024 season. 

Sewald is unconventional as a closer in that he does not throw with high velocity to get batters out. He throws his four seamer 53% of the time and his sweeper 47%. The fastball averages just 92 MPH but location and movement more than make up for the lack of velocity. According to Fangraphs Statcast pitch values his fastball is the 10th best  among qualified relievers in MLB.  His Sweeper meanwhile has elite vertical movement. The two pitch combo has made him a very effective reliever. 

Sewald will almost surely take over the 9th inning closer's role for the D-backs. For now Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin, Scott McGough, and Miguel Castro will slide into the set up roles they are most likely suited for. The D-backs bullpen by committee approach has not worked well this season as they have eight blown saves in the ninth inning and an ERA over 8 in ninth inning save situations. It should be noted however that Kevin Ginkel had been thriving in save situations lately. 

The cost to upgrade the bullpen was not cheap. While neither prospect is ranked among the D-backs top 10 by Inside the Diamondback's Michael McDermott, they both had great seasons this year. 

Canzone had hit extremely well in Triple-A Reno this year batting .354 with 1.065 OPS.  He was showing promise with very solid at bats and approach in key situations in his brief time in the majors this year. In eight games started he was hitting .290/.333/.452 with two doubles and homer.  

Bliss was having a breakout season in Double-A Amarillo batting .358 with a 1.007 OPS prior to being promoted to Reno earlier this month. He struggled a bit in his first 13 games at that level, but recently showed how much pop he has by smashing a 454 foot homer. Listed at just 5'6", 165 pounds the middle infielder has an excellent glove and with the breakout at the plate was a D-backs prospect on the rise. 

Josh Rojas had two very solid seasons for the D-backs in 2021 and 2022, posting a combined 107 OPS+ for the two seasons and 4.0 WAR.  He was a catalyst and disrupter on the base paths, especially last year stealing 23 bases while getting caught just three times. After a hot start this season however he slumped badly to the point he was optioned to Reno. He suffered a lower back injury shortly after the demotion and just recently returned to play, and then was promoted to fill in for the injured Evan Longoria just a few days ago. 

Rojas is a local fan favorite, who attended high school in Goodyear Arizona. Always accountable and often expressing good humor he'll be missed in the clubhouse.