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Cleveland Guardians sign Paul Sewald for 2025, improving MLB's best bullpen
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- Cleveland Guardians sign Paul Sewald for 2025, improving MLB's best bullpen
The league's best bullpen from a year ago might have gotten even better Wednesday.
The Guardians and free agent reliever Paul Sewald agreed to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for the 2026 season. The club has confirmed the signing .
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Sewald, who acted as part of a closing committee in Seattle and then Arizona the last four seasons, posted a combined 3.18 ERA with 299 strikeouts in 229 innings. He has at least 10 saves in all four of those seasons, with the most coming in 2023, when he secured 34 saves for the Mariners and the Diamondbacks .
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the ninth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on May, 19, 2024.
Guardians bullpen adds Paul Sewald for 2025 season
Reliever Pedro Avila has been designated for assignment to make room for Sewald, 34, on the active and 40-man rosters. Avila had a solid 2024 season in which he finished with a 3.25 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 74⅔ innings.
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The Guardians' Opening Day bullpen figures to include Emmanuel Clase , Cade Smith , Sewald, Hunter Gaddis , Tim Herrin , Andrew Walters and Erik Sabrowski as leading contenders for the first seven spots. Trevor Stephen and Sam Hentges will be on the injured list .
Paul Sewald contract
Sewald's deal includes at least $7 million in guarantees, according to an ESPN report , depending on whether the mutual option for 2026 is exercised by both sides.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians offseason news: Cleveland signs relief pitcher Paul Sewald
