Giants, Watson finalize 2-year contract
The San Francisco Giants finalized a two-year contract with free agent relief pitcher Tony Watson on Monday.
The 32-year-old left-hander will make a minimum of $9 million, but the contract features a player option for a third year plus bonuses tied to games finished. Over three years, he could wind up earning as much as $21 million to $26 million, according to various media reports.
Watson went 7-4 with 10 saves and 53 strikeouts in 71 relief appearances (66 2/3 innings) last year while splitting the season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Dodgers. He was acquired by Los Angeles for two minor-leaguers at the July 31 trade deadline.
In seven postseason innings over 11 relief outings, Watson had a 2.57 ERA, helping the Dodgers get to Game 7 of the World Series.
He was 5-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 47 games for the Pirates last season after beginning the season in the closer role.
Watson has a 33-17 career record with 30 saves and a 2.68 ERA in 474 relief appearances since making his major league debut in 2011. He was an All-Star in 2014, when he led the National League with 78 appearances and finished 10-2 with two saves and a 1.63 ERA.
The Giants cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Watson by designating right-hander Joan Gregorio for assignment. Gregorio, 26, served an 80-game suspension last year after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Formerly a top prospect, Gregorio never reached the majors despite spending eight seasons in the San Francisco farm system. He went 4-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A Sacramento last year.
--Field Level Media
