Seattle Mariners: Reviewing the Kendall Graveman trade 2 weeks later
Joe Swenson
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Two weeks ago, the Seattle Mariners traded closer Kendall Graveman to Houston for infielder Abraham Toro. Upon further review, the deal still doesn’t make sense.
Twelve games ago, the Seattle Mariners traded away Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero. The latter of the two was designated for assignment (DFA) before the trade, so losing him was of no consequence. Losing Graveman, on the other hand, has resulted in massive consequences.
The fallout from trading Graveman trade prompted General Manager Jerry Dipoto to inform disappointed M’s fans that it was the first of several moves. He said it would all make sense after the trade deadline. Here we are two weeks since the trade, and it still doesn’t make sense.
Who thought this trade make sense?
When the trade happened, there were still a couple of days left until the deadline. The Mariners just played an incredible game where they came from behind to beat Houston. It was an Astros team on the brink of falling apart due to injuries, COVID, and a bullpen that struggled to keep leads.
Trading away a team’s best pitcher out of the bullpen happens all the time. In fact, the Seattle Mariners were part of one of the worst trades in baseball history when they dealt away prospects Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe for then Red Sox closer Heathcliffe Slocum. It was a disaster, and while the Graveman trade doesn’t seem to be on track for that label, the results have so far been atrocious.
More flawed logic
After beating the Astros on July 26, 11-8, thanks to a Dylan Moore grand slam and clutch pitching from Graveman. Then Graveman was traded to the other dugout. To a team that the Mariners still had two more games against. And to a team that Seattle was chasing in the division. The win put them six out of the American League West lead, but only a game out of a wild card spot. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Mariners’ trade filled a massive hole in the backend of Houston’s bullpen. The same hole the M’s exploited in their come-from-behind victory.
The timing of the trade to the Astros didn’t make sense, and if the Astros GM, James Click, put pressure on Dipoto to make the deal, then there shouldn’t have been a deal. That’s not the only reason, though. Clubhouse leadership and chemistry are vital to a team that makes a run to the playoffs. There are plenty of examples of teams that won championships with amazing chemistry versus teams with a plethora of talent.