In a move to reinforce their relief corps, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement with free agent right-hander Kendall Graveman on a one-year contract, sources told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Friday. The deal, pending a physical, will pay Graveman a base salary of $1.35 million with the potential to earn up to $3.3 million through performance bonuses.
Diamondbacks Banking on Graveman’s Return to Form
The Diamondbacks are taking a calculated risk on the 34-year-old Graveman, who missed the entire 2024 season following shoulder surgery. However, the club is optimistic that the veteran reliever can recapture the dominant form he displayed prior to the injury, which would provide a significant boost to their bullpen.
A Proven Late-Inning Weapon
Since transitioning to a full-time relief role with the Seattle Mariners in 2021, Graveman has established himself as one of the most effective late-inning arms in the game. In fact, his 1.77 ERA in 56 innings that season ranked 15th among all MLB relievers. Over the past four seasons, Graveman has compiled an impressive resume:
- 193 strikeouts in 187⅓ innings pitched
- 24 saves and 52 holds
- ERAs of 3.18 (2022) and 3.12 (2023)
Graveman’s success can be attributed to his heavy, hard sinker, which he complements with a solid slider and changeup. He also mixes in a curveball on occasion and has relied more on his four-seam fastball in recent years. This diverse arsenal has allowed him to consistently navigate high-leverage situations and emerge as a trusted bullpen anchor.
Slotting into the D-backs’ Bullpen
Assuming he proves healthy and effective, Graveman is likely to claim a prominent late-inning role in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. He’ll join a relief corps that features the likes of left-hander A.J. Puk and right-hander Justin Martinez in high-leverage situations, along with righties Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson and southpaw Joe Mantiply.
Having a proven, experienced reliever like Graveman in the mix could make a significant difference for this bullpen. If he can recapture his prior form, it gives us another high-leverage option and really strengthens our overall relief corps.
– An NL scout who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation
The Diamondbacks will also need to determine how to fill out the remainder of their bullpen, with hard-throwing youngsters like Drey Jameson potentially factoring into the equation if they don’t secure rotation spots. Regardless of the final composition, adding a battle-tested veteran like Graveman certainly enhances the unit’s depth and versatility.
A Calculated Risk with Upside
While there’s always a degree of uncertainty when signing a pitcher coming off a significant injury, the Diamondbacks’ investment in Graveman appears to be a sensible one. The modest base salary mitigates the financial risk, while the performance bonuses provide the right-hander with ample incentive to regain his previous form.
If Graveman can successfully bounce back from shoulder surgery and replicate his pre-injury performance, this deal has the potential to be a steal for the Diamondbacks. A healthy and effective Graveman would not only solidify the back end of their bullpen but also provide valuable leadership and mentorship to the team’s younger relievers.
As the Diamondbacks continue to build towards contention in the competitive National League West, bolstering their bullpen with a proven commodity like Kendall Graveman could prove to be a savvy move. The coming months will reveal whether the veteran right-hander can indeed recapture his All-Star form and emerge as a key contributor in Arizona’s pursuit of a postseason berth.
