Blue Jays: Four right-handed relief pitchers to consider this offseason

Kendall Graveman

A name that Blue Jays fans may remember from back in 2014 (or this past season if you follow the trade rumours).

A former Blue Jays draft pick back in 2013, Kendall Graveman was a prospect within the organization before he was part of the package deal in the 2014/2015 offseason in exchange for third baseman Josh Donaldson with the Oakland Athletics. Before his departure, Graveman would make five appearances in the Jays bullpen, pitching in 4.2 innings of relief work and earning a 3.86 ERA with four strikeouts.

The Toronto Blue Jays should look to the free agent market to improve their bullpen, with these four right-handed bullpen arms being available this Winter.

The right-hander was a starter for most of his time in both the Jays minor league system and with the Athletics but would miss the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, eventually joining the Mariners the following year. This past campaign saw Graveman move into the bullpen full time for Seattle and he would post ridiculous numbers, a 0.82 ERA with 10 saves through 30 outings, before being traded to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline.

It appears that the bullpen may be his calling moving forward as the Alabama product has posted his best numbers as a member of the relief corps. While the Blue Jays were not officially tied to Graveman this past trade deadline, there is a chance for a potential reunion this coming offseason if the club is looking for an upgrade in the bullpen.

He should not command the $15 million range that Iglesias will be looking for but I don’t think he will be a bargain bin deal either, as the Jays will most likely not be the only team interested in his services if they see a fit.