*Photo from Baseball America*
The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired RHP Paul Sewald from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for IF/OF Josh Rojas, OF/1B Dominic Canzone, and IF Ryan Bliss, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The trade has been confirmed.
Miguel Castro, Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin, and Scott McGough have all been used in save situations by the D-Backs this season. The addition of Sewald gives them a clear cut closer, which can help sort out their bullpen situation as they look to make a push toward a playoff spot.
D-Backs GM Mike Hazen said of the trade that "It’s probably one of the worst-kept secrets in terms of what our goals were coming into the Deadline. We wanted to continue to help the bullpen. I think the bullpen has pitched pretty well. In the middle month there, we’ve struggled to close out some games in the ninth inning. It’s probably some of the difference between where we’re standing today and where we were standing a month ago."
Sewald is enjoying a strong season out of the Mariners bullpen this year. He has authored a 2.93 ERA, 2.97 FIP, and 1.023 WHIP, picking up 21 saves over 45 appearances and 43 innings, finishing 31 games in total. He misses bats well, averaging 12.6 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Closing games has indeed been an issue for the D-Backs, with the team having converted only 27 out of 45 save opportunities. Fernando Rodney was the most recent shutdown D-Backs closer, when he saved 39 games in 2017. Sewald is under control through the 2024 season.
One piece of the return for the Mariners is Rojas, a utility player who has played all over the infield and outfield and has seen the majority of his starts at 3rd base this season. This season, he has a .228/.292/.296 slash line, with zero home runs, 13 doubles, and 26 RBI's to go with 6 stolen bases in 59 games.
Another part of the return is Canzone, who was the 19th overall D-Backs prospect at the time of the trade, according to MLB Pipeline. Canzone was chosen by the D-Backs in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and can play both outfield and first base.
Canzone made his MLB debut this season, posting a .237/.293/.368 slash line with one home run, two doubles, and 8 RBI's in 15 games. In 71 games this season with Triple A Reno, Canzone has 16 home runs and 17 RBI's, recording a .354/.431/.634 slash line with 39 walks, 18 doubles, and 3 triples in 304 plate appearances.
Bliss is the final piece of the return, ranked as the 29th overall D-Backs prospect. Combined between Double A Amarillo and Triple A Reno this year, Bliss has a .332/.391/.556 slash line with 13 home runs, 51 RBI's, and 27 doubles, adding 35 stolen bases in 81 games, 68 of which were at Double A.
Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said of the trade that "We feel like this deal makes us a deeper, more well-balanced team, both now and moving forward. Paul was a huge part of an excellent 'pen during his three years in Seattle. I'm forever thankful for his contributions, both on and off the field."
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