Why the Cleveland Guardians Are Investing in Paul Sewald in Their Bullpen & Why He’s An Upgrade

The Cleveland Guardians got active in free agency again by making a somewhat surprising investment in reliever Paul Sewald. We discuss why the Guardians decided to use limited free agent budget to add to an already good bullpen and why he’s an upgrade there. We also get into the lesser mentioned signing former first rounder, top 100 prospect Riley Pint to a minor league deal.

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(0:01 – 1:01): [Intro and overview of topics]
(1:45 – 3:48): [Introduces himself and discusses the Paul Sewald signing, comparing it to previous bullpen additions]
(3:48 – 5:23): [Bullpen volatility and why the Sewald signing makes sense]
(5:23 – 7:32): [Sewald’s profile and potential role in the bullpen]
(7:32 – 9:50): [Bullpen regression and comparing Sewald to other relievers]
(9:50 – 10:24): [Bullpen additions and roster construction]
Speaker B (12:26 – 13:27): [Sewald’s fit with the team’s defensive profile]
(17:05 – 18:26): [Sewald’s pitching profile compared to Pedro Avila]
(18:27 – 20:00): [Potential trade implications of the Sewald signing]
(20:00 – 21:35): [Veteran presence in the bullpen and past reliever additions]
(21:35 – 24:38): [Comparing Sewald to Scott Barlow and discusses payroll implications]
27:09 – 29:10): [Potential trade scenarios involving relievers]
(29:11 – 32:22): [Texas Rangers as potential trade partner]
(33:43 – 35:32): [Riley Pint signing and background]
(35:33 – 38:58): [Pint’s potential and Cleveland’s pitching development reputation]
(38:58 – 40:54): [Pint’s potential role and Cleveland’s pitching development track record]
(43:43 – 44:40): [Upcoming Reddit mailbag and bonus content]
(44:40 – 45:21): [Insider program and bonus content]

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14 comments

  2. Do you guys think Angel Martinez a year removed from the Hamate Bone injury (which how on earth did he come back from that? I thought some people said his season was over when it happened last year!) has a chance to take CF?

    Also, you guys have said the trade market is higher in the offseason, but SiG and Zack said it was lower in the offseason which is interesting.

  3. I think the Guardians have determined that starting pitching is overpriced. As usual they are looking for a cheaper way to win. At this point I think the Guardians are going to go all in on having a closer for every inning from the 6th inning on. It is a cheaper option.

  5. Guys I cannot make sense of paying Sewald and cutting Avila. My gut says they’re going to trade Clase or another bullpen piece but I genuinely do not understand this at all.

  6. Great analysis gentlemen. I personally am not a fan of this deal, but can see both your view points. I agree that the bullpen could use help after a high usage year. I also agree there really isn't a ton on the market that will help this team which stinks because if Cleveland had the money they cleared earlier in the offseason they could have grabbed Gleyber Torres or someone else. But if I understand correctly how much the team saved on Straw and Gimenez (11.8 million and 100 million) as well as Sewald (7 million) you have around 110 to 120 million saved. Why not invest that money in Bibee or Kwan?

  7. Can you explain what happens with pedro avila in this case? He has been removed from the 40 man. Does that make him immediately a free agent? Does he go through the waiver process? if so do we have a chance to recoup an asset for him if someone claims him?

    Don't like this move at all. Don't like the allocation of resources. You spent the offseason clearing the books to bring in an expensive reliver and trade an affordable one.

  9. No offense but what the heck are you talking about. Barlow had a 188 ERA+ in 2021 and 22 and a 2.63 FIP in 21. Sewald has never had an ERA+ above a 140 or a FIP below 3. I like the signing but Sewald's track record is mediocre at best.

  10. Thanks guys for the Sewald rundown!

    Will definitely miss Avila if he is truly gone. I was at some early season games last year where he ate a bunch of innings quite competently. Always felt "vet comfortable" when he came in.

  11. Thank you so much for this amazing video! I need some advice: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (mistake turkey blossom warfare blade until bachelor fall squeeze today flee guitar). How can I transfer them to Binance?

  12. Again I will clarify- I hated Gaddis as a STARTER, and was hopeful on him as a reliever. And it is because of the very reason he might’ve become ineffective down the stretch last year- the more you see that unbelievably flat fastball, the easier it is to demolish. Gaddis is effective, but only in limited appearances vs the same opponent.

  13. I hope you keep Pedro. One can make a strong case he was the MVP after Clase. Because our SP sucked and was out of the game before the 5th so often, Pedro was that invaluable bridge. He saved our pen from getting worn out. Now did they realize they overused him and feared a Vinnie Pestano / ELDS drop off? I get the value of a veteran in the pen. I just feel we are a better team with both Pedro and Paul on it. Hope somehow / someway we can keep Pedro.

  14. FWIW- I believe signing Sewald is a hedge against a slow start to the season. If the team is a seller at the deadline, Sewald’s name value gives you a guy you can trade to a contender for a young guy who was drafted in the first or second round in June. It’s a “best pen in baseball” upside move, and a $4-5m investment in a draft pick at the deadline downside move. Win win

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