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Dodgers 2017 Player Review: Tony Watson

Jeff Spiegel
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Part of the Dodgers’ last-minute trade deadline frenzy, Tony Watson transformed from an afterthought to a key postseason contributor during his brief stint in Los Angeles.

In 24 games with the Dodgers in the regular season, Watson posted a 2.70 ERA and an 18/6 K/BB ratio across 20 innings. That success continued into the postseason as the left-hander made 11 appearances (7 innings) and posted a 2.54 ERA.

With all that said, it’s impossible to classify the move to acquire Watson as anything but a success — despite the fact that he’s now officially a free agent.

The Dodgers were taking a chance on a formerly successful reliever in the final year of his contract despite the fact that he was in the midst of a down year (3.66 ERA in 47 games for the Pirates).

The result was a middle-innings reliever they could trust in big spots (only Kenley Jansen and Brandon Morrow appeared in more playoff games) — all for a seemingly small cost.

Overall in 71 games between the Dodgers and Pirates, Watson yielded a 3.38 ERA, 4.45 FIP and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 53 and walking 20 in 66.2 innings. In seven postseason innings, he gave up five hits and two earned runs.

2017 Highlight

Despite being a game many of us are hoping we soon forget, Watson’s biggest moment may have come in Game 2 of the World Series. Watson entered in the top of the 6th inning with a runner on first, one out and the score tied at one.

On just one pitch, Watson induced an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the inning, Corey Seager hit a go-ahead two-run home run to put the Dodgers up 3-1 with their best relievers warming up in the bullpen.

Of course, things didn’t go as planned from there, but Watson’s quick outing set the Dodgers up for success on the biggest stage.

2018 Outlook

Currently a free agent, there’s almost no way to imagine Watson returning to Los Angeles — not because he didn’t earn it, but simply because he’s not what the Dodgers are looking for.

This winter figures to be a slow one in free agency for the Dodgers (luxury tax reasons), and a pitcher like Watson can probably fetch a moderate contract elsewhere that is more lucrative than what the Dodgers would be interested in.

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By Jeff Spiegel
Jeff Spiegel was raised in California but currently resides in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he worked in sports before entering journalism full time — first as a Sports Reporter and then as the Associate Editor of a local newspaper. Online, he has been writing about both the Dodgers and Raiders since 2012 — having written for DodgersNation.com and SBNation.com prior to joining both DodgerBlue.com and RaidersNation.com. He left full-time journalism in 2012 to become a pastor. Jeff can be found on Twitter at @JeffSpiegel. Favorite Dodger I'm going past and present (sort of) on this one. Recently, I was a die hard Yasiel Puig guy. The energy he played with was amazing and the hope and expectation he brought every single night was captivating. Whether it was a rifle from the warning track to throw a guy out at second, an aggressive bat flip or licking his bat, I was here for ALL of the Yasiel Puig era. Past tense, I'd go with Eric Gagné. This wasn't so much about Gagné himself as it was the experience of cheering for him. Yes, he was on steroids — but the dude was unlike any pitcher I've ever seen — he was NASTY. I still stand by the claim that if I needed one out and my life depended on it, and could choose any pitcher from any era to get me that out, I'm taking roided up Gagné in a heartbeat. Favorite Dodger Moment A few jump to mind immediately. Being born in November of 1988, I missed the last World Series by weeks — which also meant I didn't get to see the Dodgers win a playoff game until I was nearly 16. They had made the playoffs in 1995 and 1996, but were swept both times. In 2004, though, I got to see them win behind a complete game shutout from Jose Lima, and that was pretty freaking special. The next in-person moment that came to mind was the Manny Ramirez bobblehead night pinch-hit grand slam from 2009. Vin Scully claimed it was the loudest he had heard Dodger Stadium in 20 years, and it's hard to disagree. As far as ones I didn't get to see live, I'll throw one more out there: the back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs that tied a game against the Padres in 2006 (plus the walk-off from Nomar Garciaparra in extra innings) was an all-timer. Obviously, the impending Dodgers World Series will quickly jump to the top of this list...