Astros acquire Graveman from White Sox
The Houston Astros acquired reliever Kendall Graveman from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Korey Lee, the teams announced Friday.
Graveman has been an effective bullpen weapon for the White Sox this season, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 42 strikeouts, 20 walks, and eight saves in 45 appearances. He'll give manager Dusty Baker another late-inning option alongside Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, and Phil Maton, who all work behind closer Ryan Pressly.
This is the right-hander's second time being dealt to Houston ahead of the trade deadline. The Astros acquired Graveman from the Seattle Mariners in July 2021, and he helped them to a World Series appearance before signing with the White Sox that offseason.
"I know a lot of people there, the relationships have been built. So that's exciting," Graveman told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "I played in the World Series for that team. It's an organization that also has believed in me in the past and trusted me with taking the ball and pitching for that team. I'm thankful for them once again believing in me on that front, too."
“I hated to see Graveman leave the first time,” Dusty Baker said.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) July 28, 2023
The 32-year-old has one year remaining on his $24-million contract.
Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, Graveman spent his first few years as a league-average starter in Oakland before resurfacing as a reliever with the Mariners in 2020 following Tommy John surgery. Since moving to the bullpen, the Alabama native has posted a 3.09 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and 24 saves in 174 total outings.
Lee, who turned 25 this past Tuesday, was ranked as the Astros' No. 5 prospect, according to MLB.com. He made his major-league debut last season, going 4-for-25 during a 12-game cameo with Houston last July. Lee has yet to play in the majors in 2023.
In 68 games with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys this year, Lee hit .283/.328/.406 with five homers, 32 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. He's also thrown out 17 would-be base-stealers. An oblique injury has kept him out of action since early July.
Andrew Vaughn was roommates with Korey Lee at Cal. They batted next to each other in the lineup. Vaughn: “He can hit!”
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) July 28, 2023
The Miami Marlins also reportedly pursued Graveman this week.