Credit: Cody Glenn-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets were one of several teams to check in on left-handed reliever Tony Watson recently, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Saturday.
Watson, now 36 years old, posted a 3.92 ERA over 62 games between the Angels and Giants in 2021. He was much better for the Giants, putting up a 2.96 ERA in 26 games compared to a 4.64 ERA in 36 games with the Angels. However, the left-hander remains durable even as he approaches his late 30s.
Watson has been in the majors since 2011 and owns a 2.90 career ERA. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career with the Pirates. His best year came in 2014, when led the league with 78 performances while posting a 1.63 ERA. He also posted a sub-2.00 ERA the following year in 2015, with a 1.91 mark in 77 games.
Despite his age, Watson would be a solid add for a team that has a lack of left-handed pitching. As of now, the Mets’ top left-handed options out of the bullpen are Chasen Shreve and Alex Claudio. While the Mets have confidence that multiple of their current right-handed pitchers can succeed against left-handed batters, and they recently added Adam Ottavino, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add a lefty to the mix. Ottavino remains the only major league signing the Mets have made in the bullpen this offseason.
Being 36 and still unsigned, there is an off-chance that Watson decides to retire, although there’s nothing concrete to suggest that he will. Considering he was still effective in 2021, he likely still has a few seasons left in him.
Along with the recently signed Ottavino, he could round out a nice bullpen with Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo and Trevor May in the late innings.
