After falling one win short of winning the 2017 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers returned the core of their roster this season. Nonetheless, gone are key contributors Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow, who both signed with the Chicago Cubs, and Tony Watson.
In what was a historically slow MLB free agency period, the left-handed reliever didn’t appear to have a long list of suitors. Re-signing with the Dodgers didn’t figure to be a likely scenario, considering the team had incumbents Tony Cingrani and Adam Liberatore, and traded for Scott Alexander.
Watson eventually latched on with the San Francisco Giants, signing a two-year contract with the Dodgers’ longtime rival. Watson got his first look at his former team on Opening Day.
Although now pitching for the Giants, the 32-year-old said he doesn’t harbor any resentment toward the Dodgers, with whom he spent half a season with, and he joined the Giants because of their motivation to compete, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“No hard feelings,” he said.
“I wanted to come here because they want to win,” he said, “and that’s what most teams should be trying to do.”
Watson got the better of the Dodgers in the Giants; 1-0 win, as he tossed a scoreless eighth inning, issuing a walk but striking out the side.
Watson was a key contributor for the Dodgers down the stretch in 2017 after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the non-waiver trade deadline. He yielded a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 24 regular season appearances (20 innings), and then he tossed six shutout innings across nine appearances in the National League Championship Series and World Series.
As for Watson’s comment about the Giants being a team that’s driven to compete and win, Kenley Jansen offered similar remarks when he criticized the number clubs that instead are focused on profits.
