The Arizona Diamondbacks are gearing up for another run in one of baseball’s most unforgiving divisions. With the powerhouse Dodgers still looming large and a Padres bullpen that’s arguably the best in the league, the path to a division title is steep.
But Arizona isn’t just here to fill out the schedule. They’ve got talent, they’ve got fight, and they’re making moves to stay in the Wild Card hunt - or better.
Their latest addition? A familiar face.
The D-backs are bringing back veteran reliever Paul Sewald on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, pending a physical. It’s a low-cost move, but one that could pay dividends for a bullpen looking to add experience and depth heading into the 2026 season.
Sewald, 35, has seen just about everything the big leagues can throw at a pitcher. He broke into the majors back in 2017 with the Mets and really found his stride in Seattle, where he became a key piece of the Mariners’ bullpen over two and a half seasons. His time there included a strong run - a 2.88 ERA across 172 appearances - that showed just how effective he could be when locked in.
Arizona got a taste of that version of Sewald after acquiring him midway through the 2023 season. He posted a 3.57 ERA in 20 regular-season outings with the Diamondbacks, and while his postseason numbers (5.40 ERA in 10 games) weren’t quite as sharp, he brought a veteran presence to a team that made a deep October run.
The following season, Sewald returned to the D-backs but wasn’t able to replicate his previous success, finishing with a 4.32 ERA over 42 appearances. In 2025, he split time between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, where he struggled to find consistency, posting a 4.58 ERA in 22 games and finishing with a -0.1 bWAR.
So why bring him back? Because at $1.5 million, this is the definition of a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing.
Sewald might not be the dominant force he was in Seattle, but he still brings something valuable to the table: experience, leadership, and the ability to handle high-leverage situations if needed. For a team with postseason aspirations, that kind of arm - even in a middle-relief role - can make a difference over the course of a long season.
Arizona’s bullpen could benefit from a steady veteran who’s been through the highs and lows. And if Sewald can tap into even a fraction of his peak form, the Diamondbacks will have found themselves a bargain. If not, it’s an easy contract to move on from.
The D-backs are clearly not content to stand pat. They’re building a roster that can compete, and bringing back Sewald is another piece of that puzzle. In a division where every edge matters, depth and experience in the bullpen could end up being the difference between playing October baseball or watching from home.