TRADE: Diamonbacks & Mariners Swing Deal for Big Bullpen Arm

The Arizona Diamondbacks have had a bit of a scuffle locking in a closer for the 2023 season. With the likes of Scott McGough, Andrew Chafin, and now Kevin Ginkel moving in and out of the role, it's been a revolving door. But that revolving has now stopped as the D-Backs have brought in proven Seattle Mariners closer Paul Sewald.

Diamondbacks IF Josh Rojas, OF/1B Dominic Canzone and IF Ryan Bliss going to Mariners for reliever Paul Sewald, source tells @TheAthletic. First with deal: @nickpiecoro

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2023

In return, the Snakes send infielder Josh Rojas, OF/1B Dominic Canzone and minor league infielder Ryan Bliss to Seattle. 

It's the second time in three years that the Mariners have traded away their closer at the deadline. 

The D-Backs got a close-up look at Sewald this past Friday, as he pitched a scoreless inning against them. On the season, the 33-year-old has 21 saves, with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, while allowing a measly .196 batting average against. He hasn't allowed batters to crack the .200 mark in the last three seasons, and has a 2.88 ERA over that span with 236 strikeouts in 171 2/3 innings. He also recorded 20 saves last year for Seattle, and 11 in 2021.

He is under contract through 2024.

In Canzone, who's gotten his feet wet with 15 games in the majors this season, the Mariners get Arizona's No. 19 prospect per @MLBPipeline, as well as their No. 29 prospect in SS/2B Ryan Bliss. Rojas is a 5-year veteran of the big leagues, but is having a rough year, hitting just .228 with zero home runs in 59 games.

The Diamondbacks continue their push for a playoff spot, sitting four games back of first place in the NL West, and just one game back of a Wild Card spot. For the Mariners, 4.5 back of the Wild Card with several teams to leapfrog, 2024 now appears to be their focus.

Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports