The White Sox announced the signing of right-hander Kendall Graveman to a three-year, $24 million deal on Tuesday.
“Kendall is a veteran who provides us with end-of-game bullpen depth and an ability to induce ground balls,” White Sox general manager said in a team statement announcing the agreement. “He’s a high character guy and a great teammate who will fit well within our clubhouse and bullpen.”
A ground ball pitcher who hiked his strikeout rate in the last two seasons, Graveman, 30, combined to go 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA, 61 strikeouts, a .180 opponents average, 0.98 WHIP and 10 saves over 53 appearances last season with the Mariners and Astros. The Astros used him in a setup role after acquiring him in a mid-season trade.
Amidst a flurry of big name free-agent signings ahead of the looming Wednesday (11:59 p.m.) deadline for baseball’s expiring collective bargaining agreement Wednesday, Graveman is the only signing by the Sox thus far. The Sox have needs for a second baseman, a second catcher, in the starting rotation and bullpen — especially if they trade right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel. Right field also is unclear, although the Sox haven’t ruled out going with a combination of Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets.
The Graveman deal was first reported last week.
