Seattle Mariners: Trade Dividing the Fan Base
Chris Phillips
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Grave for Graveman
Now for the big piece. Kendall Graveman is having a great year. It’s a great story. But, now, he’s a trashcan. His departure hurt not only the fans but the Seattle Mariners clubhouse as well. Many players had tears in their eyes and were angry at this news. In addition, some players voiced their displeasure that they had to learn about this news on their phone and not from Dipoto.
Graveman took the closer’s job away from Rafael Montero. Graveman is 10/12 in save’s this year. He’s been dominant in his appearances. The issue that most fans don’t know about or remember is his health. Graveman has a benign bone tumor in his neck. At this point, in modern medicine, there is no cure. He just has to suffer through the pain. This pain limit’s his availability. Limited availability and closer don’t typically go together.
There are two schools of thought with Graveman. Either talk between Dipoto and Graveman implied that Graveman would not be signing an extension or resigning with Mariners after this year. Or Dipoto has every intention of going hard after Graveman in free agency. Thus, getting Toro, Smith, and resigning Graveman. Now, who wouldn’t love the latter situation?
The Future
Alright, M’s fans. Dry your tears and move forward. The deal is done. The Seattle Mariners are still right in the thick of a wild card race. In back to back series against division opponents, the Mariners took four out of seven games. On Friday the M’s open up a three game series against Texas before going onto a three game series against Tampa Bay. This team needs the fan’s support.
Even after last night’s loss, the M’s are still only two games back of the second wild-card spot. As previously mentioned, Dipoto isn’t done working the phones for more deals to help the Mariners both this year and future years. So, there might be more help on the way for this ball club. Also, one final note Dipoto was able to con Houston into taking Montero. That is a win in it itself.
Kendall Graveman, Seattle Mariners.
Does this help in your grieving of the loss of Graveman? Please share your thoughts on the trade with us in the comments.