Paul Sewald trade reaction: Arizona Diamondbacks get 'legit' closer from Seattle Mariners
The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired the Seattle Mariners' Paul Sewald in a deal that sends outfielder Dominic Canzone, infielder Josh Rojas and infield prospect Ryan Bliss to Seattle.
The Diamondbacks have been in dire need of bullpen help and Sewald should provide a boost to the team.
Sewald, 33, has a 2.93 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 43 innings this season.
He has converted 21 of 24 save opportunities.
Over the past three seasons, he owns a 2.88 ERA with 236 strikeouts in 171 2/3 innings.
Fans have been begging the Diamondbacks to make some moves before Tuesday's MLB trade deadline and GM Mike Hazen made one in acquiring Sewald.
Was the deal a good one for Arizona?
More: Arizona Diamondbacks MLB trade deadline 2023 updates, speculation, rumors, news
VOTE: How would you grade the #Dbacks' trade for the #Mariners' Paul Sewald? (Trade details: https://t.co/ydi2I0ufPZ) (Reaction: https://t.co/mQItmIc9S2) @azcentral #ArizonaBorn #MLBtradedeadline
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) July 31, 2023
Check out the social media reaction in the immediate aftermath of the trade:
Dbacks get a legit closer and he’s not even a rental. If that costs you a couple of your mid-tier prospects you absolutely do it. Especially when one’s an outfielder and you have a million outfielders. Just think where they’d be right now if they had Sewald all season.
— Luke Lapinski (@LukeLapinski) July 31, 2023
MLB TRADE#Diamondbacks Acquire
RP Paul Sewald ($1.3M + 1 Arb year)#Mariners Acquire
OF Dominic Canzone ($240k, Pre-Arb)
3B Josh Rojas ($858k + 3 Arb years)
SS Ryan Bliss (rookie)
ARI gives up a haul, but gets a bonafide closer thru 2024.https://t.co/4MbyWINQzS— Spotrac (@spotrac) July 31, 2023
Mariners traded Paul Sewald…
For 2 hitters batting .237 and .228.
GREAT Jerry. pic.twitter.com/W2KYP9V1my— Sami ON Tap (@SamiOnTap) July 31, 2023
For Sewald? Come on. https://t.co/FKSf7I8QEk
— PHX Fans (@PHXFansAZ) July 31, 2023
Paul Sewald is 33 and went from a fringe major leaguer his first four years in majors to 52 saves and a sub 3 ERA the last 3 years starting at age 31.
— Jody Oehler (@radiojody) July 31, 2023
Rojas, Canzone, Bliss is a lot to pay for 1.5 years of a backend reliever. Sewald is very good, however. https://t.co/6PDMDc2bu7
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) July 31, 2023
With the Diamondbacks acquiring Paul Sewald, who is under control through 2024, it stands to reason they would want to maximize his time in Arizona by adding a starter as well.
Trade deadline is just over 24 hours away. We’ll see what happens.— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) July 31, 2023
Paul Sewald since 2022:
107.0 IP
41 SV
2.78 ERA
32.1 K%
7.5 BB%
30.1 Whiff%
30.7 HardHit%
3.57 WPA
High. Leverage. Reliever .
pic.twitter.com/x14SuUzFEc— JD (@StromsLab) July 31, 2023
@Dbacks GM Mike Hazen sent a great message to his club. They are in it to win. Getting Sewald from @Mariners was a big, important move. Now they need at least one capable, veteran starter. Badly.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) July 31, 2023
The #Dbacks are trading Dominic Canzone, Ryan Bliss and Josh Rojas for Mariners closer Paul Sewald.
A good deal for both sides, to be honest.— Alex D’Agostino (@AlexDagAZ) July 31, 2023
Kevin Ginkel will be able to be the 8th inning setup man leading up to Paul Sewald, or take the backup closing role.
Ideal situation. Really helps the pen. Could use another reliever and a starter still but this is a great start.#Dbacks— Alex D’Agostino (@AlexDagAZ) July 31, 2023
Love the Sewald trade for Arizona. Not just a huge upgrade for the back of the bullpen, but an emotional boost the club needs.
— scott bordow (@sbordow) July 31, 2023
I’m so confused. The same people who said they didn’t want the D-backs to make any trades are the same ones now saying the Paul Sewald trade is a good one. Interesting.
— Steve Zinsmeister (@Steve_Zins) July 31, 2023
Paul Sewald is dirty. https://t.co/ymqldEFCuw
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) July 31, 2023
The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro contributed to this story.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Paul Sewald trade reaction: Diamondbacks get 'legit' Mariners closer
