Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Tony Watson
At 31-years-old, newly Pirates anointed closer Tony Watson has been a great reliever for six seasons now. During his career, he’s compiled a 2.56 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9 rate.Watson was handed the closing job last August after the Bucs traded then sandman Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. He ended 2016 with 15 saves and a 3.06 ERA, largely succeeding in his new found role.
If Sherlock Holmes’ partner – ‘Watson’, get it? – were to come to the Mets, he would fill two areas of need. Not only would he immediately strengthen the weak Josh Smoker and Josh Edgin-led lefty group, but he would give TC another late game option to help fill in while closer Jeurys Familia is likely suspended.
The main obstacle standing in the way of a deal getting done, though, is Pirates GM Neal Huntington, who turned down MLB.com‘s #3 and #38 prospects in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez respectively from the Nationals in exchange for aging center fielder Andrew McCutchen earlier this offseason.
So while this may not be likely, if something could be worked out, the Mets ‘pen would be forever grateful.
