White Sox Sign Top Late-Inning Reliever To Multi-Year Deal

 

Craig Kimbrel just never worked out as a set-up man for the Chicago White Sox after they acquired the him mid-season. Now, as they continue in their efforts to trade the high-priced closer, they have replaced him with a much more economical, but high-leverage reliever who just might be more suited to the set-up/backup closer role, in Kendall Graveman. 

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the former Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros late-inning high-end reliever has agreed to a 3-year, $24M deal with the White Sox. 

Graveman would be the setup man to closer Liam Hendriks, making a formidable duo at the back end of games for the White Sox. 

Graveman was as good as it gets for the Mariners in the first half of the 2021 season, posting a minuscule 0.82 ERA and 0.69 WHIP along with 10 saves in 33 innings. In fact, when Seattle GM Jerry DiPoto suddenly traded him before the trade deadline to the Astros, it caused a mutiny in the Mariners' clubhouse. 

The 30-year-old went on to perform admirably in Houston, to the tune of a 3.13 ERA and 10.6 K/9. He became a free agent at the end of the season. 

Graveman never made it as a starter with the Oakland A's, in the earlier stages of his career, but seemed to take to the bullpen like a fish to water in '21. 

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports