The Pittsburgh Pirates are shopping the face of their franchise in Andrew McCutchen and could also be looking to trade more pieces including their lefty closer Tony Watson according to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Watson, 31, had a 3.06 ERA, 1.064 WHIP, and 15 saves last year for the Pirates in 70 appearances. In 67.2 innings, he allowed only 52 hits, but ten of them left the park. He posted a 1.3 bWAR after two straight seasons of being a 2.5 bWAR pitcher and an All-Star appearance in 2014.
The lefty is arbitration eligible this offseason and is projected to make $5.9 million according MLB Trade Rumors. He will become a free agent after the 2017 season.
The Mets have a need for a lefty reliever in their bullpen with Jerry Blevins being a free agent and most likely getting a multi-year deal elsewhere. They have the inexperienced lefty Josh Smoker (with reverse splits) and Josh Edgin who has yet to get his pre-Tommy John surgery velocity back as their two best current options.
Watson has been tough on both left-handed and right-handed hitters during his six year major league career. Lefties have a meager slash line of .204/.266/.284 and righties have hit only .217/.282/.352 off him.
Watson fits two needs for the Mets in the fact that he can be get lefties out and has experience pitching late in games. He would also allow the Mets to get a reliever on a one-year deal, but at what cost?
