If his entrance music isn’t the Undertaker’s theme, I’m gonna be miffed.
Multiple reports indicate that the Arizona Diamondbacks have made the long-awaited move to strengthen the bullpen, signing reliever Kendall Graveman to a one-year deal. The contract guarantees the right-hander $1.35 million, but he can significantly boost that, with incentives based on appearances which could be worth close to another $2 million. This section makes sense, since the pitcher missed the entire 2024 season after shoulder surgery. But from 2021-23 he was excellent, posting a 2.77 ERA across 187.1 innings for the White Sox, Astros and Mariners, and a K:BB of 193:82. However, his FIP was more than a run higher, at 3.87, and was as high as 4.88 over his last season in 2023.
Graveman has some closing experience, but has never had more than ten in a season, with a career total of 24. The first step will be for him to prove good health. There’s no indication of this being a problem, with the player now 13 months clear of the surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. However, shoulders can be tricky things, so you never know. But it’s a low-risk signing for Arizona, with the $1.35 million guaranteed for the year a far cry from the three-year $24 million Graveman signed with the Chicago White Sox in November 2021. He’ll look to join the back end of the bullpen, along A.J. Puk, Ryan Thompson, Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel, and may see some save opportunities.