Paul Sewald traded to Tigers

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today acquired right-handed pitcher Paul Sewald from the Cleveland Guardians, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Sewald has pitched in nine major league seasons with four different teams, including with the Mets (2017-20), Mariners (2021-23), Diamondbacks (2023-24) and Guardians (2025). He has pitched in two postseasons, including with Seattle in 2022 and Arizona in 2023.

Dating back to the start of 2023, Sewald has been one of the best swing-and-miss relievers in baseball. Among relievers with at least 125 appearances over that span, he ranks tied for 21^st with a 29.6% strikeout rate and 5^th with a 56.3% in-zone rate. None of the other 110 relievers in that qualifying group rank better in both categories, highlighting Sewald’s ability to strike out hitters while throwing a high volume of his pitches in the zone.

Sewald also has an extended track record of success in terms of results. Among relievers with at least 250 appearances since the start of 2021, he ranks 4^th in on-base percentage (.262), 5^th in WHIP (1.02), 6^th in batting average against (.191) and 7^th in strikeout percentage (32.3%). Over that span, his fastball/sweeper combination has proven effective against both handed hitters: .570 OPS, 31.1 K%, 4.8 BB% vs right-handed hitters, and .679 OPS, 33.7 K%, 12 BB% vs left-handed hitters.

In 18 games with the Guardians this season, Sewald has posted a 4.70 ERA (8 ER/15.1 IP) and averaged over one strikeout per inning (10.6 K/9). Though he’s spent several months on the injured list in 2025, including currently for a right shoulder strain, he’s had success when on the mound. Through his four outings in July, he held opponents to a .091 batting average, allowing one unearned run. In a limited sample size, he’s had some of the most effective stuff among relievers with at least 18 appearances, ranking in the 97^th percentile for called strike rate, 95^th percentile for in-zone rate and 79^th percentile for swing-and-miss rate.

The 35-year-old has gone 21-26 with 86 saves and a 4.11 ERA (179 ER/391.2 IP) in his 377 career big league appearances. From 2021-23, he made 60+ appearances each season, combining to go 18-9 with a 2.95 ERA (62 ER/189.1 IP) and 12.2 K/9 in 192 games, accumulating 4.3 bWAR.