The Guardians strengthened the back end of their bullpen on Jan 22 by signing veteran right-handed relief pitcher Paul Sewald. Sewald, 34, recorded 16 saves with the Diamondbacks last season. He has notched double-digit saves in four straight seasons — 11 with the Mariners in 2021, 20 with the Mariners in 2022 and a combined 34 saves with the Mariners (21) and Diamondbacks (13) in 2023. Sewald’s deal is for one year and $7 million, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported. The bullpen was a strength for the Guardians in their run to winning the AL Central in 2024 with a record of 92-69. Emmanuel Clase led the Major Leagues with 47 saves and games finished with 66. It was the third straight season he led both leagues in both categories. There is no guarantee the bullpen can repeat last season in 2025. Plus, the Guardians traded reliever Nick Sandlin to the Blue Jays in the same deal that sent second baseman Andres Gimenez to Toronto. Sandlin appeared in 68 games last season. He pitched 57 2/3 innings and finished with a record of 8-0. Sewald pitched four seasons with the Mets before signing with the Mariners as a free agent in 2021. He has a career won-lost record of 20-26 and has 84 career saves. The Guardians make it a point to sign high-character players. Sewald should be a good fit in that regard. This past September, the Diamondbacks made Sewald their Roberto Clemente Award nominee, given annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.