Yankees should explore deal to add reliever(s) from San Francisco Giants

Tony Watson has been extremely efficient thus far for the Giants this season. The lefty has appeared in 29 games with a 2.70 ERA across 26.2 innings pitched.

The 2014 All-Star is currently in the second year of a two-year, $7 million deal with a player option for 2020. He would only be owed $2.5 million for next season, which is a bargain considering what reliable relievers are getting paid in today’s market.

What stands out most about Watson is how few walks he allows. The 34-year old has only walked 1.01 batters per nine innings pitched – the third best in all of Major League Baseball among qualified relievers.

Watson is capable of retiring both lefties and righties, but has oddly struggled against left-handed hitting opponents this season despite a smaller sample size:

• vs. RHB (2019): 79 PA, 17 H, 5 R, 17 K, .230 Opp. BA
• vs. LHB (2019): 32 PA, 10 H, 6 R, 5 K, .313 Opp. BA
• vs. RHB (Career): 1428 PA, 288 H, 149 R, 314 K, .226 Opp. BA
• vs. LHB (Career): 774 PA, 158 H, 67 R, 178 K, .223 Opp. BA

Although his .313 opponent batting average against left-handers this season is a bit worrisome, Watson has proven in the past that he is not just a lefty specialist.

Watson certainly isn’t as recognizable in regards to potentially available left-handed relievers such as Brad Hand, Sean Doolittle, or teammate Will Smith, but he could be had without giving up big-name prospects or acquiring a large contract.