:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58726597/858506182.jpg.0.jpg)
The Dodgers lost a second member of their postseason bullpen, with left-hander Tony Watson reportedly agreeing to terms with the Giants, per Jon Heyman and Robert Murray of FanRag Sports.
The contract is reportedly a multi-year pact, and even structured to keep the Giants under the $197 million competitive tax threshold, which is a bit of a surprise since Cot’s Baseball Contracts estimated San Francisco to be just shy of $195 million before the Watson deal.
Watson made $5.6 million in 2017.
Wow. This is a pretty shocking, and would require some extremely creative contract structuring. Escalators based on performance, etc. Little hope 48 hours ago that it would be possible. No question a huge upgrade for SF bullpen. https://t.co/dx86a3EQgx
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) February 17, 2018
Watson was acquired from the Pirates at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, and posted a 2.70 ERA in 24 games with the Dodgers, with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 20 innings. Watson held left-handed batters to .212/.257/.394 with Los Angeles.
He had a 2.57 ERA in seven innings in October, appearing in 11 of the club’s 15 postseason games.
So far this offseason the Dodgers saw setup man Brandon Morrow sign with the Cubs (2 years, $21 million), and now Watson, who was the club’s primary left-handed specialist down the stretch. The club has replaced them with the signing of converted starter Tom Koehler and trading for lefty ground ball inducer Scott Alexander.
Watson, who turns 33 in May, has a 2.68 ERA in seven major league seasons, with 30 saves, 398 strikeouts and 127 walks in 453 innings.