2017 Dodgers review: Tony Watson

Tony Watson was a key cog in the Dodgers bullpen for the final two months of 2017 and into October.

What went right

The Dodgers acquired Watson at from the Pirates on July 31 for infielder Oneil Cruz and pitcher Angel German, on of two left-handed Tonys the team added at the non-waiver trade deadline.

Watson proved effective down the stretch, posting a 2.70 ERA in 24 games, with 18 strikeouts and three unintentional walks in his 20 innings after joining the Dodgers.

Left-handers hit .212/.257/.394 against Watson with the Dodgers, but he was even more effective against right-handers, who hit .205/.311/.256 against him.

Watson made the postseason roster for the Dodgers and was their most-used southpaw, appearing in 11 of the team’s 15 games. He posted a 2.57 ERA in seven innings and held batters to .200/.259/.200 in the playoffs.

Watson got the victory in Games 4 and 6 against the Astros in the Fall Classic, tying the Dodgers record for wins in a World Series while joining Hugh Casey (1947) and Larry Sherry (1959) as the only relief pitchers to do it.

What went wrong

In his third game with the Dodgers Watson hit a batter then intentionally walked a batter to load the bases with a 2-1 lead. Jake Lamb followed with a pop fly grand slam into the right field corner to give the Diamondbacks the win.

Watson took the loss in that game, allowing three runs. He allowed three total runs in his final 21 appearances of the season.

2017 particulars

Age: 32

Stats: 2.70 ERA in 24 games, 18 K, 6 BB in 20 IP

Salary: $5.6 million, of which the Dodgers paid just under $1.9 million

Game of the year

Watson pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Game 4 of the World Series to keep the game tied, before the Dodgers rallied for five runs in the ninth inning to even the series at two games apiece.

Roster status

Watson is a free agent.