Ex-Seattle Mariners reliever Paul Sewald becomes free agent

Ex-Seattle Mariners Reliever Paul Sewald Becomes Free Agent

Former Seattle Mariners closer Paul Sewald became a free agent on Thursday after the Detroit Tigers declined his 2026 option. The decision was confirmed on November 6, 2025, at 3:35 PM, and updated the following morning. The announcement came shortly after Sewald was photographed throwing a football before a 2025 playoff game in Cleveland.

“Former Seattle Mariners closer Paul Sewald became a free agent Thursday after the Detroit Tigers declined his 2026 option.” — AP

Detroit also declined contract options for pitchers José Urquidy and Randy Dobnak. Dobnak made his only major league appearance of the season on March 30 for Minnesota before being acquired from the Twins in late July.

Sewald will receive a $1 million buyout instead of a $10 million mutual option under his $7 million one-year contract. The 35-year-old right-hander was traded from Cleveland to Detroit at the summer trade deadline and posted a 4.58 ERA across 22 relief outings. A strained right shoulder kept him out from July 11 through September 19.

Between 2021 and 2023, Sewald appeared in 172 games for Seattle, recording an 18–8 mark with a 2.88 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 52 saves over 171⅔ innings. He was later dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks before the 2023 trade deadline. Detroit also rejected a $4 million club option on Urquidy, who returned from Tommy John surgery on September 14 and pitched twice in the majors afterward.

Author’s Summary

Paul Sewald enters free agency after Detroit declined his 2026 option, ending a brief stint marked by injury recovery and moderate performance.

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Seattle Sports Seattle Sports — 2025-11-07

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