And we lose Pedro Avila
The Guardians have signed veteran reliever Paul Sewald, designated Pedro Avila for assignment, and added some minor-league pitching depth in Riley Pint
Couple transactions this afternoon
+Designated RHP Pedro Avila for assignment to make room for RHP Paul Sewald on 40-man roster.
+Signed free agent RHP Riley Pint to a Minor League contract. He will be part of Minor League Depth Camp.
+2016 First round pick by Colorado (4th…— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) January 22, 2025
Sewald is guaranteed to get at least $8 million from the Guardians:
The Guardians’ deal with Paul Sewald, per source:
Guaranteed one year, $7M
$1M signing bonus, $5M salary
$1M buyout or $10M salary for 2026He’ll earn an extra $100k for 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 appearances in 2025.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) January 22, 2025
I find this move… curious. I liked Avila and was impressed with how he thrived in Cleveland. Maybe the Guardians felt his 4.89 xERA was more reflective of his true talent than his 3.89 FIP? Maybe they think they can get Avila back on a minor league deal? I am the world’s foremost Logan Allen doubter so I would have preferred to DFA him. But, I also know the Guardians are almost always right when it comes to pitching decisions.
Sewald is 34 years old and coming off a season where oblique and neck issues limited him to around 40 innings with Arizona. Over the past three years, he has had a 3.23 ERA and a 3.78 FIP with a 10.6/2.9 K/BB/9. He offers veteran stability but I will note that he has a career 4.74 FIP in high leverage spots.
Pint has eye-popping strikeout numbers and just as eye-popping walk numbers. He’s a fun bet as a minor league reliever to see if Cleveland can figure out what’s causing the latter numbers.
This has been an odd offseason in so many ways. I am not quite sure I understand this move; it kinda feels like the Scott Barlow mistake all over again. But, as I said above, Cleveland has earned the benefit of the doubt about pitchers. Does this move indicate Cleveland has plans to make other further roster investments before the season begins? Does it mean they may have a trade involving one of their other relievers lined up? Time will tell, but I would lean toward them pursuing some options for starting pitchers and corner outfielders given they added another win-now piece in Sewald, showing a desire to spend some of the Gimenez/Straw savings. We will see.
Excuse me now while I go weep over losing our innings eating Pedro.