Phillies add another arm to the bullpen competition
The bullpen reconstruction continues as the Phillies have agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran reliever Tony Watson.
Watson will turn 36 in May and has been one of the top left-handed relievers in the MLB over the past few seasons. Most recently, he pitched 21 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2020, allowing 13 hits and five earned runs, striking out 15 and walking just three in 18 innings of work. In 2020, left-handed hitters were just 4 for 23 against Watson.
Looking at Watson in a bigger scope, he averaged 70 appearances from 2013-2019. He has an ERA of 2.65 and a WHIP of 1.07 during that span. He is the latest addition to the reconstructed bullpen that Dave Dombrowski has been piecing together throughout the Phillies offseason. He will join newcomers Archie Bradley, Sam Coonrod, Jose Alvarado, Brandon Kintzler, Hector Rondon, and Neftali Feliz looking to secure a spot on the MLB roster for the Phillies this season.
The back half of the starting rotation, the bullpen, and the centerfield position all have significant battles as pitchers and catchers report today for Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida.
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