SEATTLE (AP) — The Houston Astros have landed one of the top relievers in baseball, acquiring right-hander Kendall Graveman from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday in an odd intra-division trade while the teams were preparing to play each other.
Graveman and Rafael Montero are going to Houston with infielder Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith going back to Seattle.
Welcome to Houston, Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero! #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/Zsc8pazi6B
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 27, 2021
The move bolsters a Houston bullpen that has struggled at times and has an ERA above 4.00 this season.
Graveman is 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 10 saves in 30 appearances this year. He missed nearly a month due to COVID-19 protocols in May and June but has been dominant on the mound. Graveman has not allowed an earned run in his past 12 appearances.
Montero was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week after being acquired in the offseason from Texas.
On Seattle's side, it's appears a baffling decision to give up its most dominant reliever while failing to fill a position of need with the Mariners just one game behind Oakland in the AL wild-card race.
But general manager Jerry Dipoto said it's likely the first of several moves the Mariners will make in the coming days with the hope of improving the big league club.
Toro is in his third season and has played primarily third base, where the Mariners have veteran Kyle Seager entrenched. Toro has also played first base and has one game at second base this season, a position where the Mariners could be looking to upgrade before the trade deadline.
Toro is hitting .211 with six homers and 20 RBIs in 35 games this season.
Smith has a career-worst 7.48 ERA in 27 games for the Astros after not pitching during the 2020 season.
