The Mariners should look to Arizona for an old friend and trade for Paul Sewald

Over the next couple of weeks, the talk around the Mariners will be trading for offense. You'll see it here, from the national writers and fans that the Mariners need to get more impact bats. I wholeheartedly agree, you can never have too many arms in the playoffs. The Mariners bullpen is getting healthier, with both Gregory Santos and Gabe Speier back and with the big club. Why not go get one more back-of-the-bullpen guy to help solidify the bullpen for the playoff push?

The Mariners have dealt with their fair share of injuries. Gregory Santos missed half of the year, Gabe Speier is back out of the All-Star break, and Andres Munoz has been dealing with an off and on issue with his back. Ryan Stanek has also dealt with some back issues. When healthy, the Mariners bullpen is one of the best. Maybe it is time to spend some resources to make this bullpen even better by making a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for their closer, Paul Sewald. Ever heard of him?

Could the Mariners bring back clubhouse and fan favorite, Paul Sewald?

The Mariners traded Sewald to the Diamondbacks at last year's trade deadline. While the move was wildly unpopular both with players and fans alike, you can make the argument that the Mariners won the trade. I know, I know, Sewald helped lead the Diamondbacks to an unlikely World Series appearance, but who did the Mariners get in return for Sewald? How about your starting third baseman Josh Rojas? Or young thumper Dominic Canzone? Maybe you forgot about Ryan Bliss, who debuted with the big club earlier this year.

All three of those players have made a lasting impact on the 2024 season. From the Diamondbacks' perspective, they may feel like they won the trade. From the Mariners' perspective, I think they won the trade. This may be a win/win deal looking through hindsight.

As of the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks are 49-48, seven games behind the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, they are in second place currently, but the San Diego Padres are nipping at their heels, and the rest of the National League Wild Card race is wide open. Realistically, only the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins are out of contention. With the Wild Card being that wide open, the Diamondbacks may look to bolster their organization the same way the Mariners did in 2023.

What would a Paul Sewald trade look like today?

Last year, when the Mariners traded Sewald, he commanded such a haul because he was more than a rental. He had a year and a half left on his contract, as opposed to this offseason. Yes, Paul Sewald is a rental. But I do believe the Mariners have a legit chance to sign him to an extension, and if they pulled of a trade and signed him, the way they did with Luis Castillo in 2022, the Mariners would come out on top yet again.

In this scenario, I have the Mariners sending infielder Ben Williamson (14th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline) and RHP Brody Hopkins (22nd ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline). While that may not seem like enough to Diamondbacks fans, I can assure you that you will come to love these guys. Williamson may not have the home run potential you want from a third baseman, but he does possess a massive hit tool. As for Hopkins, He has made 17 starts in Single-A Modesto this year. In his 77.2 innings of work, he has given up just two home runs. His fastball has touched 98 MPH but usually sits between 93-96.

While these are the two prospects I chose to send, You can look at the top 30 and generally pick two or three of anyone ranked 14 and below. Even if the Mariners send one of their top guys for Sewald, I think you have to do it. Bullpen arms are so important down the stretch, and Sewald would lengthen this bullpen, making the Mariners that much more dangerous come October. Remember the Kansas City Royals in 2014 and 2015? They won a World Series and went to another in back-to-back seasons riding their top-tier bullpen.

As always, Go Mariners!