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Seattle Mariners

Mariners sign Kendall Graveman to $2M, 1-year deal

Oakland Athletics’ Kendall Graveman delivers a pitch during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees in New York on May 11, 2018. The Mariners have added another option for their rotation by agreeing to a one-year contract with Graveman that guarantees the right-hander $2 million as he returns from Tommy John surgery. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
Associated Press

SEATTLE – Kendall Graveman wants to be part of the most memorable team in Seattle Mariners history.

Seattle is the only one of the current 30 franchises that has never played in the World Series. The Mariners have not even reached the postseason since consecutive AL Championship Series losses to the New York Yankees in 2000 and 2001.

“There’s no secret Seattle hasn’t been to the playoffs in 20 years,” Graveman said Monday after agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $2 million. “I mean, why not? So everyone knows. Everyone talks about it. I want to come into this organization and help this organization win, get to the playoffs. A franchise that hasn’t won a World Series could do that. And I don’t think speaking about these things should be stuff that is not spoken about. I believe that there’s power in that. I believe there’s power in words and things that we do.”

Graveman, who turns 29 next month, would earn $8 million if Seattle exercises a 2021 option and he pitches at least 150 innings in each season.

He has not pitched in the major leagues since May 11, 2018, for Oakland and had Tommy John surgery that July 24. Cut by the Athletics after the season, he signed a $575,000, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs and made a pair of three-inning minor league injury rehabilitation outings on Aug. 22 and Sept. 1.

“It was a season of growth and learning about myself and the elbow. … Feel like the ball is coming out very well,” he said. “I started picking up a baseball two weeks ago, did some light toss. … The body feels good. The elbow feels good. I’m excited to get back and compete.”

Graveman will have a chance to earn a spot in Seattle’s starting rotation that has a couple of openings. Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi and prospect Justus Sheffield are likely the only set starters for Seattle heading into the season.

Graveman is 23-29 with a 4.38 ERA in five major league seasons.

“When I’m at my best, I am inducing ground balls and letting my defense perform behind me,” he said. “I’m not a guy who is going to strike out a ton of people and when I do try to strike out people, sometimes it gets me in trouble.”

He gets a $1.5 million salary next year, and Seattle has a $3.5 million option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.

Graveman could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses in each season year based on innings: $100,000 each for 15, 25, 40, 50, 65, 75 and 90, and $200,000 apiece for 100, 115, 140 and 150.

He would become a free agent if the option is declined.