Mariners Reportedly Nearing Another Rotation Signing

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto is evidently cooking up some pre-Thanksgiving surprises for fans of the franchise. The reported addition of Kendall Graveman is but one of two pitching signings in the works, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (links to Twitter).

So, is it the turkey or another side? It seems we’ll find out tomorrow morning, when Divish says the second deal for a starting pitcher will likely be announced.

The M’s entered the winter with obvious needs in the rotation. As MLBTR’s TC Zencka characterized things in rounding up the needs and opportunities for the Seattle org, it seemed possible that the club would pursue as many as three new starting pitching candidates on the open market and/or in trade.

Graveman — one of the possible targets that TC noted — is likely pegged to take one rotation spot. But he could soon be joined by another. It isn’t impossible to imagine the Mariners making a bit of a splash here. No, we’re not expecting another Robinson Cano-sized surprise. But the club has the payroll availability needed to pursue just about any pitcher it likes. It’s also possible, of course, that the other new incoming arm will be more of a depth option than a clear-cut rotation piece.

We won’t offer any specific guesses here, as the possibilities are more or less endless. Dipoto is nothing if not freewheeling. There are some intriguing overseas possibilities, in addition to the full slate of available pitchers that threw in the majors last year. Could be mashed taters and gravy; might be little tiny onions. Hopefully it isn’t canned cranberry “sauce.” It’ll be fun to see who strolls into Seattle with Graveman for Turkey Day.