The move remedies the most glaring weakness of the team: clutch ninth-inning relief. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen admitted that the team\u2019s goals coming into the Deadline were \u201cprobably one of the worst kept secrets.\u201d He added, \u201cWe\u2019ve struggled to close out some games in the ninth inning, and it\u2019s probably some of the difference between where we’re standing today and where we were standing a month ago.\u201d In addition, Hazen wanted to address the closer role \u201cnot just for this year, but for next year as well,\u201d which justified the higher price the team paid \u2014 two major leaguers and one Triple-A prospect \u2014 to get Sewald, who still has one more year of arbitration before he becomes a free agent.<\/p>\n
The Diamondbacks had a surplus of left-handed hitters, which made it less difficult for them to part with Rojas and Canzone. In addition, the team has not needed much from Rojas to get where they are, and Canzone did not reach the majors until recently. This came from the team\u2019s draft philosophy, according to Hazen. \u201cWhen you don’t draft for specific purpose,\u201d he said, \u201cand you just draft for the best player, you end up getting a certain type of player sometimes at the upper levels. Then the whole point of that is that you’re going to trade some of those guys to get what you didn’t draft or develop very well. And that’s what you’re seeing here.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/20230730-\u2014-AL-Closers-Paul-Sewald-Traded-1024x575.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h3>\nWhat Sewald Adds to the Diamondbacks<\/h3>\n
Sewald entered Monday as the third-ranked closer in the American League. The two pitchers ahead of him, Will Smith<\/a><\/strong> of the Texas Rangers<\/a> and Felix Bautista<\/a><\/strong> of the Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, are both on first-place teams. Three of the top four closers in the NL \u2014 Devin Williams<\/a><\/strong> of the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> (second), Alexis Diaz<\/a><\/strong> of the Cincinnati Reds<\/a> (third), and Raisel Iglesias<\/a><\/strong> of the Atlanta Braves<\/a> (fourth) \u2014 are in the thick of division races. NL Leader David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> of the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> has such a high asking price that he\u2019s highly unlikely to move. Therefore, Sewald was the highest-ranked realistic trade option.<\/p>\nIn 45 games in relief, Sewald has tossed 43 innings, finishing 31 games. He has a 2.93 ERA, 72 ERA-minus, 80.0% Scoreless Outing Percentage (ER only), and a 1.023 WHIP. In addition, he has a 35.5 K% and 27.2 K-BB%, both better than anyone on the Diamondbacks. His home run percentage of 3.0% is one tenth of a percentage point lower than the NL average of 3.1%. But the biggest plus for Sewald is his ability to close games. For those who prefer saves, he has converted 21 of 24 opportunities, a rate of 88% (AL avg: 61%). In Goose Eggs, he has 21 versus two broken eggs \u2014 a ratio of 10.5, second highest in the AL (min. 20 appearances).<\/p>\n
Other Deals and What Might Be on the Horizon<\/h3>\n
Later in the day, the Diamondbacks picked up utility infielder Jace Peterson<\/a><\/strong> from the Oakland Athletics for Double-A pitcher Chad Patrick<\/a><\/strong>. Peterson will play a reserve role.<\/p>\nThe Diamondbacks have \u201ca lot of irons in the fire,\u201d according to Hazen, who added that the Sewald deal came together in the nine-to-twelve hours preceding the afternoon press conference. Another glaring need for the team is a starting pitcher. They already were facing a big dropoff in both production and experience when getting past Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> and Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong> in the rotation. But with the injuries to Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> and Tommy Henry<\/a><\/strong>, they have an even more pressing need for more starters. While the team will give some Triple-A pitchers chances to prove themselves at the major league level \u2014 something Hazen hinted at Monday \u2014 they would certainly breathe easier if they can land a dependable starer before Tuesday\u2019s deadline, which is at 3 pm Arizona Time.<\/p>\nMain Photo:<\/h4>\n
In 45 games in relief, Sewald has tossed 43 innings, finishing 31 games. He has a 2.93 ERA, 72 ERA-minus, 80.0% Scoreless Outing Percentage (ER only), and a 1.023 WHIP. In addition, he has a 35.5 K% and 27.2 K-BB%, both better than anyone on the Diamondbacks. His home run percentage of 3.0% is one tenth of a percentage point lower than the NL average of 3.1%. But the biggest plus for Sewald is his ability to close games. For those who prefer saves, he has converted 21 of 24 opportunities, a rate of 88% (AL avg: 61%). In Goose Eggs, he has 21 versus two broken eggs \u2014 a ratio of 10.5, second highest in the AL (min. 20 appearances).<\/p>\n
Other Deals and What Might Be on the Horizon<\/h3>\n
Later in the day, the Diamondbacks picked up utility infielder Jace Peterson<\/a><\/strong> from the Oakland Athletics for Double-A pitcher Chad Patrick<\/a><\/strong>. Peterson will play a reserve role.<\/p>\n The Diamondbacks have \u201ca lot of irons in the fire,\u201d according to Hazen, who added that the Sewald deal came together in the nine-to-twelve hours preceding the afternoon press conference. Another glaring need for the team is a starting pitcher. They already were facing a big dropoff in both production and experience when getting past Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> and Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong> in the rotation. But with the injuries to Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> and Tommy Henry<\/a><\/strong>, they have an even more pressing need for more starters. While the team will give some Triple-A pitchers chances to prove themselves at the major league level \u2014 something Hazen hinted at Monday \u2014 they would certainly breathe easier if they can land a dependable starer before Tuesday\u2019s deadline, which is at 3 pm Arizona Time.<\/p>\nMain Photo:<\/h4>\n