The Diamondbacks have gotten the late-inning arm they've wanted. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that Arizona has agreed to a one-year deal with Kendall Graveman. the deal is still pending a physical.
News: Free agent reliever Kendall Graveman is in agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a 1 year deal, sources tell ESPN. Graveman is fully recovered from a shoulder injury and adds a needed piece to the Az bullpen. The deal is pending a physical.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 14, 2025
Graveman, 34, missed all of 2024 with a shoulder injury. Before then, he was a very capable late-inning arm, with a 2.74 ERA over the previous three seasons. He's experienced in various roles, with the most closer experience coming in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners with 10 saves before getting dealt to Houston. Assuming the shoulder is healthy, he should be in the mix to close games for the Diamondbacks in 2025.
Statcast had Graveman averaging just below 96 MPH with two different fastballs to go along with a slider and a changeup in 2023. The fastball and slider accounted for nearly 90% of his pitches, so that's what he primarily attacks hitters with. His fastball run value according to Statcast sat at +7 while the breaking ball was -1 and changeup +1 in 2023.
Graveman, coming off an entire season missed due to injury, is guaranteed just $1.35 million, but can boost it to $3.3 million with incentives. Those incentives will likely be tied to appearances and innings pitched, possibly games finished as well.
Deal is for $1.35 mil but he can make up to $3.3 mil with performance bonuses. https://t.co/NLQ5gaylIr
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 14, 2025
There are a multitude of ways the Diamondbacks can go with the closer role. They could go with Graveman, a committee, or someone else to take the ball in the ninth. They have three internal candidates already to consider between Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk, and Justin Martinez. Ginkel seems like the most logical candidate to promote since they already asked him to do so last season when Paul Sewald was on the injured list.