The Chicago White Sox are widely expected to trade veteran closer Craig Kimbrel this season, and their latest free agency maneuver is another sign that the right-hander will be moved at some point in the near future.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the White Sox are in the process of finalizing a three-year contract with veteran reliever Kendall Graveman. The deal is reportedly worth $24 million, with an annual value of $8 million.
White Sox said closing in on a deal for Kendall Graveman. $24M for 3 years range.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 23, 2021
Graveman started the 2021 season with the Mariners but was dealt to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline. He recorded a 1.77 ERA across 56 innings of work and struck out 61 batters. The right-hander served as the Mariners' closer prior to being traded and had earned 10 saves with the team.
The White Sox were clearly impressed enough with what they saw out of the 30-year-old in 2021 to bring him aboard on a long-term deal, and they'll hope he can provide some much-needed depth out of the bullpen. With sights set on the World Series, the Sox can't afford to have any offseason investments fail to pan out.
Graveman is a seven-year veteran who has featured for the Blue Jays, Athletics, Mariners, and Astros. The White Sox will be his fifth MLB organization, and he'll hope to be able to replicate his 2021 campaign for his new club.
As for Kimbrel, the closer has been linked to a handful of teams, including a pair of NL East contenders in the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. As for when he'll be offloaded, that remains to be seen, as the 33-year-old could be forced to wait until the 2022 trade deadline before the White Sox find a suitable arrangement.
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