Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman works against the Rockies during the ninth inning of a game July 20, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman works against the Rockies during the ninth inning of a game July 20, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mariners trade top reliever Graveman to rival Astros

Seattle receives infielder Abraham Toro and pitcher Joe Smith in return; Dipoto says more to come.

Associated Press

SEATTLE — 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 the AL West-leading Astros with infielder Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith going back to Seattle.

A teary Graveman said he was shocked by the trade, and had assumed he would be sticking with the Mariners, who’d won four straight against divisional opponents in gritty fashion.

“I didn’t see it coming, but there’s always that percent of, ‘This game’s a business,’” Graveman said as he stood in front of the Astros dugout. “I’m speaking truth and honest, the way I felt is, (we’re) nine games over .500 over on that side and playing pretty good ball while I was there. That takes away from the last five days, honestly, I think. But we’ll see if they bounce back.”

The move bolsters a Houston bullpen that has struggled at times and has an ERA above 4.00 this season.

“We are always looking to improve all aspects of the roster,” Astros general manager James Click said. “This one happens to be focused on the bullpen. But we’re not going to take any options off the table when it comes to trying to put ourselves in a position to compete for a World Series.”

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.

On the surface it appears a baffling decision by Seattle 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 — the Astros lead the A’s by five games.

Graveman said his former teammates took news of the trade hard and there was immediate confusion among players, fans and observers about Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto’s move.

The first question to Dipoto in his post-trade news conference: How does this trade make sense to the Mariners?

“It probably doesn’t as a standalone, but it’s part of a context that’s going to be an ongoing story over the next couple of days” as the trade deadline nears, Dipoto said.

“What comes next could be as early as tonight or tomorrow because we do plan on being active,” he added.

Houston manager Dusty Baker said for now he views Ryan Pressly as his closer, but wouldn’t hesitate turning to Graveman.

“In modern times it seems like most teams are trading to try to win the deal, but this is a trade that is going to benefit both,” Baker said.

Montero was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week after being acquired in the offseason from Texas. Smith has a career-worst 7.48 ERA in 27 games for the Astros after not pitching during the 2020 season.

Toro learned of the trade in the middle of his round in the batting cage.

“And I just walked right over here,” Toro said.

He then stepped into the batting cage to resume his warmups with a new uniform top.

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 RBI in 35 games this season.

“They’re hungry — yesterday we all saw it,” Toro said of Seattle’s 11-8, come-from-behind win over the Astros on Monday. “They were losing 7-0 and came back. These guys are hungry.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Stanwood junior Tanner Requa is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Baseball Pitcher of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Baseball Pitcher of the Year: Tanner Requa

The Stanwood junior had a 0.91 ERA and a school-record 3 complete-game shutouts.

Monroe’s Caleb Campbell high-fives his teammate Mike Enrico after scoring during the game against Everett on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league baseball teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for baseball. WESCO 4A C0-MVPs Andrew… Continue reading

Michael Arroyo hits a 2-run home run for the Everett AquaSox as Lazaro Montes looks on at Funko Field on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Four AquaSox promoted to Double-A Arkansas

Montes, Arroyo, Perez and Beilenson all move up after helping Frogs clinch Series spot.

Julio Rodríguez (44) of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Kristopher Negron (45) after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning of the game at Target Field on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
M’s jump Twins with big third inning

Bailey Ober sat at his locker with his glove in… Continue reading

Lake Stevens senior Aspen Alexander is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Baseball Hitter of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Baseball Hitter of the Year: Aspen Alexander

The Lake Stevens senior had a .403 batting average and a 1.279 OPS.

AquaSox’s Lazaro Montes and Milkar Perez smile and laugh for a photo during a break at practice at Funko Field on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vote for the Frog of the Week

Who is the Frog of the Week? Vote for the Everett AquaSox… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox right fielder Lazaro Montes hit a two-run home run against the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium on Sunday, June 23, 2025 in Spokane. (Photo courtesy of James Snook)
Spokane tops AquaSox in series finale

Spokane Indians lefty Stu Flesland found out about an hour before Sunday’s… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Chicago. (Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners Cal Raleigh sets MLB records with 30th home run

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh homered in the ninth inning… Continue reading

Mike Bartley poses for a portrait in 2012. (Courtesy of Bartley family)
Legendary prep soccer coach Mike Bartley dies at 63

Bartley coached for Archbishop Murphy, Jackson and Meadowdale during a 39-year career.

Mariners catcher Cal Raleight has been named the American League Player of the Week. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / The Athletic)
All hail Cal ‘Big Dumper’ Raleigh, AL Player of the Week

Time is the universe’s most powerful force. Time never stops. Time heals… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox infielder Colt Emerson gets a high-five from teammate Lazaro Montes after scoring during the game against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
AquaSox clinch first-half title with win in Spokane

Four-run first inning sparks 8-3 win, securing Everett a spot in September’s championship series.

Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment passes the puck as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) applies pressure during the third period in Game 1 of Western Conference finals on May 21, 2025, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool / The Dallas Morning News / Tribune News Services)
Kraken trade acquire forward Mason Marchment

The Dallas Stars announced they have traded forward Mason Marchment to the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.