Colorado Rockies: offseason strategy should target 5 players

SET-UP MAN

Player: Tony Watson, LHP

Former Team: Pittsburgh Pirates-Los Angeles Dodgers

2017 Statistics:

• Pitching:  7-4, 3.38 ERA 10 SV, 66.2 IP, 72 H, 25 ER, 20 BB, 53 SO, 9 HRA, 1.38 WHIP, 0.9 WAR, 128 ERA+

Acquisition Route: Free Agency

• Terms of the Deal: 5 years, $ 37,500,000

Why Tony?

Tony Watson brings a good plethora of postseason experience to the mound. His 16 games, including 7 this year with the Dodgers on their way to the World Series, Tony Watson has allowed just three (3) earned runs in twelve (12) innings of relief. During the regular season, Watson has played a key role in the bullpen – he has performed in multiple roles – middle relief, set-up man, closer, and specialist – through out his career. In his seven season career, he has never had an ERA higher than 3.95, and that was in his rookie season. 2012 and last season are tied for his next highest at 3.38 and in 2014, he was also was a National League All-Star.

Adding his experience to the Rockies bullpen will give the franchise another valuable arm capable of performing in multiple roles, similar to the position held in 2017 by Jake McGee. Unlike McGee, Watson has had success doing the same in the playoffs.

He was also a potential candidate to join the Rockies bullpen before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline as we discussed in this article from July 13.

Added Value:  Power lefty, experienced closer, set-up man, veteran leader, post-season experience