Could the Mariners pull off another Paul Sewald trade in consecutive seasons, but this time by acquiring the closer instead of trading him away?
In the coming weeks, the Mariners will be a hot topic regarding trading for offense. National writers and fans alike will emphasize the need for more impactful bats, and I completely agree; having an abundance of arms is crucial in the playoffs. With the bullpen getting healthier, thanks to Gregory Santos and Gabe Speier rejoining the team, why not add another back-of-the-bullpen pitcher to strengthen the bullpen for the playoff run?
The Mariners have faced numerous injuries this season. Gregory Santos missed half the year, Gabe Speier is back after the All-Star break, and Andres Munoz has been struggling with intermittent back issues. Ryan Stanek has also had back problems. When healthy, the Mariners’ bullpen is among the best. Perhaps it’s time to invest resources in further enhancing this bullpen by trading with the Arizona Diamondbacks for their closer, Paul Sewald. Heard of him?
Could the Mariners bring back clubhouse and fan favorite, Paul Sewald?
The Mariners traded Sewald to the Diamondbacks at last year’s trade deadline, a move that was highly unpopular among both players and fans. However, one could argue that the Mariners came out ahead in the trade. Yes, Sewald played a key role in the Diamondbacks’ surprising World Series run, but consider who the Mariners received in return: starting third baseman Josh Rojas, promising young hitter Dominic Canzone, and Ryan Bliss, who made his big-league debut earlier this year.
Sewald saves, #Dbacks win! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/oVQL6x4nH5
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 19, 2024
All three have had a significant impact on the 2024 season. While the Diamondbacks might feel they won the trade, from the Mariners’ perspective, they emerged victorious as well. This could be seen as a win/win deal in hindsight.
At the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks are 49-48, seven games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Although they are in second place, the San Diego Padres are close behind, and the National League Wild Card race is wide open, with only the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins realistically out of contention. Given this, the Diamondbacks might consider strengthening their roster similarly to how the Mariners did in 2023.
What would a Paul Sewald trade look like today?
Last year, when the Mariners traded Sewald, he commanded a significant return because he wasn’t just a rental; he had a year and a half left on his contract. This offseason, Paul Sewald is indeed a rental. However, I believe the Mariners have a solid chance to sign him to an extension. If they manage to trade for him and secure an extension, similar to what they did with Luis Castillo in 2022, the Mariners would once again come out on top.
In this scenario, I propose the Mariners trade infielder Ben Williamson (14th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline) and RHP Brody Hopkins (22nd ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline). While this might not seem like enough to Diamondbacks fans, I assure you that you’ll grow to appreciate these players. Williamson may not have the home run potential typically desired in a third baseman, but he has an impressive hitting ability. As for Hopkins, he has made 17 starts in Single-A Modesto this year. In his 77.2 innings of work, he has allowed only two home runs. His fastball reaches up to 98 MPH but usually sits between 93-96.
While these are the two prospects I selected, you can generally pick any two or three players ranked 14th and below from the top 30 list. Even if the Mariners trade one of their top prospects for Sewald, it would be worth it. Bullpen arms are crucial down the stretch, and Sewald would strengthen the bullpen, making the Mariners even more formidable in October. Remember the Kansas City Royals in 2014 and 2015? They won a World Series and reached another consecutive one largely thanks to their top-tier bullpen.
As always, Go Mariners!
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