When the Seattle Mariners traded closer Paul Sewald at the 2023 deadline, it sent shockwaves through the clubhouse.
It wasn’t just any trade. It was one that seemed to signal the front office was waving the white flag on a team that believed it was close to contending. In return, the Mariners received a package of position players from Arizona: utility man Josh Rojas, infielder Ryan Bliss, and outfielder Dominic Canzone. A proven bullpen staple had been dealt for a contact-first role player and a pair of unproven bats. For a team that hadn’t fallen completely out of the playoff race, the move felt like a step backward.