Paul Sewald has reportedly agreed to join the Cleveland Guardians once more after the team has opted to bring him in as their 40th man after designating Pedro Avila for assignment to free a roster spot. So far, this is a promising look as Sewald also looks to re-establish his value in the season following a limited 2024 run.

The winter has been quite a productive look for the Guardians so far, and bringing in Sewald addresses the need for the team to have a much more competitive squad that may well have a shot at leading them to the World Series now more than ever. After a dismal 2024 campaign that ended in shambles, Cleveland is hopeful to bring its championship aspirations to fruition.

Sewald is expected to become a weapon straight off the bullpen, sliding into various roles at any given game this season. Still, Sewald also brings in a promising experience for the team Sewald has played for the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and the Arizona Diamondbacks in eight seasons, which says a lot about his strong potential in the game and a sense of leadership that the team needs to have.

A Boost for the Guardians’ Bullpen

Cleveland boasted the top bullpen in MLB last year, and while most of their key arms are returning in 2025, they’ve parted ways with some important contributors, including Eli Morgan, Nick Sandlin, and now Avila—each of whom played a crucial role in providing bullpen depth last season. Sewald is expected to help fill that gap.

From 2021 to 2023, Sewald was a reliable option out of the bullpen, maintaining an ERA under 3.15 each season while racking up double-digit saves. However, his 2024 campaign wasn’t as sharp, as his ERA rose to 4.31 and his strikeout rate declined.

He dealt with neck and oblique injuries that led to two separate stints on the injured list. Still, since 2021, Sewald has been one of the best in limiting opponent batting average, ranking seventh-lowest among MLB relievers at .187, just ahead of teammate Emmanuel Clase, who is eighth at .191.

At the age of 34, Sewald may well just bring the team to a year of dominance. Thanks to his reliable arm, he’s able to put up some impressive numbers, but those have shrunk into 4.31 ERA, 39.2 IP, and 9.8 K/9 due to his injuries last season, which has played a huge role in limiting his games played as well.

A Hope for Sewald

Sewald has agreed to a one-year contract worth $7 million with the Guardians, which includes a $1 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary for the upcoming season. Additionally, he has the opportunity to earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses based on relief appearances, with $100,000 awarded for reaching 40 appearances, and another $100,000 for each additional five appearances up to 60. The deal also features a mutual option for 2026, valued at $10 million, with a $1 million buyout.

Over the course of his career, Sewald has posted a 20-25 record with a 4.09 ERA across stints with the New York Mets (2017-2020), Seattle Mariners (2021-2023), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2023-2024). Last season, he played under a one-year, $7.35 million contract with the Diamondbacks.

For now, it remains to be seen if Sewald can actually come back strong from his injuries last season, but the Guardians are expected to be patient in playing the long game, which will see him have some time to adjust and adapt to the play of the team.