Kendall Graveman signed back with the Mariners with the expectation of sticking in the bullpen, he said on the Extra Innings Podcast. Graveman pitched out the bullpen consistently for the first time in his career last season for the Mariners, emerging as an option for high-leverage opportunities. The former Oakland Athletic spent 2018 with the Cubs while recovering from Tommy John. He signed with the Mariners and made a couple of starts in 2020, but the bulk of his outings came out of the bullpen. Heading into 2021, he’s fully committed to a bullpen role. He’ll the 30-years-old in December, and though he’s new to the bullpen, Graveman spoke confidently about his ability to adjust and let his stuff play up during shorter outings. The right-hander also spoke about shortening his arsenal. He plans on focusing on what works best and sticking with a couple of his strongest pitches, probably a heater, change, and curve primarily, though he also spoke about working in a two-seamer on occasion as a way to vary the look from the fastball.
- Even with Graveman firmly in the bullpen, the Mariners plan on use of a six-man rotation in 2021 to help keep starters healthy, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. With that in mind, they’re likely to at least explore the starting pitching market in free agency. Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi, Justus Sheffield, and Justin Dunn figure to return to the rotation in 2021, while Nick Margevicius and Ljay Newsome are the other holdovers. Logan Gilbert could also emerge as a potential option at some point in 2021, if not by Opening Day. Gilbert will turn 24 early in 2021. He finished 2019 with 9 starts in Double-A with a 2.88 ERA.
- Randy Arozarena’s playoff performance was a dramatic enough affair to spark a feature film. Wonderfilm Media has begun working on an Arozarena biopic with plans for release in 2022 or 2023, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The film, of course, won’t solely portray the postseason. Rather, the film will focus on Arozarena’s journey to MLB from Cuba. Wonderfilm co-founder Bret Saxon said (per Topkin), “We feel like the heart of this movie is his journey, and the people around him, how he was inspiring and helping the family back home. But, for sure, some of those big payoff moments are on the field, so there will be plenty of actual baseball in stadiums.”
The pop-up infield triple that took place in his (RA) days as a Cards minor leaguer will be a scene in & of itself like the infield pop up inside the park HR from the John Goodman “Babe” movie.
John Mozeliak to be played by Steve Carell as Michael Scott.
Not sure if this has been mentioned recently. But since it was reported here in 2015 and this is AL notes.
But Brandon Martin, former Rays first round pick in 2011, was convicted in this triple murder case.
Figured it might be of interest if people haven’t already heard the news.
Oh, man. I looked up that story. $860k signing g bonus, if properly invested, should have been a nice supplement to his income for the rest of his life. Instead, life in prison or even the death penalty for triple homicide. He had it all…
I think Elijah Dukes, another Rays high draft pick/big prospect is still in the clink also. And 2011, they had like 9 of the first 70 picks; they did get Snell (admittedly, makes the draft by himself), but basically threw the picks away (including Martin).
They’ve gotten better……
Oh man. I forgot about Elijah Dukes! Just looked him up and I don’t see any news since like 2013 except for articles like “remembering Elijah Dukes”.
Yeah I was looking at that draft class the other day after I heard about Martin. Admittedly, a guy like Snell is exactly what you hope to find in the draft, and he makes the WAR total of their picks look pretty decent overall.
But if you take him away, that class would quite possibly be one of the worst ever. They had 11 of the first 85 picks (I think), and the rest were complete busts.
Who did they miss out on?
Technically, they could have had them all; realistically, 2 or 3 anyway:
JBJ
Michael Fulmer
Trevor Story
Josh Bell
James McCan
Austin Hedges
Nick Ahmed
Dukes may have been the only player in MLB history which had an MLB team hire a “keeper” for them in a (futile) attempt to stop the player from doing foolish things.
TB used to go out and draft troubled players it had no buisness of drafting, ignoring all the warning signs and taking too long to cut ties. Dukes as mentioned was one. Anti semite and all around thug Delmon Young was another. Josh Hamilton and his various drug addictions before and during his Rays tenure.
Without looking it up bobtillman, like have before on that 2011 Rays draft.. The TB Rays had like 11 of the top 100, paid well underslot to nearly all of the picks and “hit” on 2-3 total of all the picks, as in 2-3 made a mlb appearance.
Imagine if a real mlb team that spent in those days had that many picks and I’m not talking about one like Boston, which spent and hit big with that draft, but even with “small” market teams like KC and Pittsburgh which would throw around huge money in the Rule 4 draft pre hard slotting in 2012 onwards.
Tampa should have been set for years in that draft and blew it big time.
When I saw “Rays” I gasped and thought Josh Sale. Another fall from grace 1st rounder
Now that’d be a pretty crazy biopic.
The Rays could pick them. Josh Hamilton drug addiction, Delmon Young beating an umpire with a baseball bat, Rocco Baldelli’s rare cell disorder (not in the same class as poor character),
Josh Hamilton’s problems are ongoing, as many here are surely aware. He was indicted on a felony charge in the spring for beating 14-year old daughter. And let’s not forget about Charles Haeger, who just last month committed suicide after murdering his girlfriend. Haeger was an assistant minor league pitching coordinator for the Rays from 2016-18.
Its eminently clear that overuse of analytics begets crime
Some teams actually scout for character and upbringing. A strong family background won’t get you drafted, but the opposite might lead to a pass. The Rays may have been unlucky, or perhaps they were more willing than other organizations to overlook some flaws. On the hand, Hamilton I’m pretty sure had a spotless background. Developed a drug problem post drafting.
I wonder what the film will be called: “Randy the Dandy”? The Randyman? So many great options available.
The Purple Arozorena of Cairo
Broadway Randy Arozorena
The Adventures of Randy Arozorena Across the 8th Dimension
Straight to the Bargain DVD Bin
MLB Network Rain Delay Programming.
Get Rid of Netflix If You Are Watching This
Arozorena By Any Other Name
Yankee Doodle Randy
Strangers With Randy
Best title: “Arozarena By Any Other Name”
The Corn Sand Man! Too literal though.
This is the best comment I have seen in a while. Way to go, Dorothy!
Jon Sterling could sing the title song: “Oh, the Randy-Man can”…..
“From SARMs to Sensation”
Randy: Subsequent Moviefilm
Probably should have been mentioned that Graveman was confined to the bullpen when he found a non-malignant tumor in his back. Surgery apparently is not an option but the pain isn’t bad when pitching short stints.
Is Austin Meadows a platoon player now?
No? With how much Renfroe struggled last year, Meadows probably takes over in right.
Renfroe and Meadows both had rough seasons. The question is how much stock to put in stats from a 60-game season.
I would much rather think they would give Meadows another shot over Renfroe given that Meadows had a fantastic 2019 season.
Graveman will start in the pen and prove he’s not in pain while pitching with a tumor in his neck. If he showcases well, he will transfer into the starting rotation which is where he should be. The M’s are not going to look for a top tier starter and drop bank on someone who’s going to block the up and comers. They’re loaded with pitching in the farm, they will come up and soon contribute.
Okay madjack, I’ll take your word over the numerous reporters that actually have sources within team.
That’s very trusting. 😉
Kendall Graveman sounds like someone who would have worked with Herman Munster as a gravedigger for Gateman, Goodbury, and Graves. As Herman himself would say, “He really knows where the body’s buried.”
I’m looking forward to hearing Randy’s story. Pretty sure I already know alot of it. Defected from Cuba, played baseball in Mexico league. That doesn’t highlight it all though
Gravemans 5.79 ERA is not at all encouraging