Giants southpaw Tony Watson has been diagnosed with a slight fracture in the wrist of his pitching hand, per a club announcement (via MLB.com’s Maria Guardado, on Twitter). He’ll be sidelined for at least ten days, with the remainder of his season in jeopardy.
With the San Francisco organization falling precipitously in the standings, it’s no big deal to go without Watson the rest of the way. That said, it’s still a suboptimal development — particularly given that it’s the latest in a run of changes to what was once a high-quality relief unit.
Watson, 34, has thrown 54 innings of 4.33 ERA ball this year, with 6.8 K/9 against 2.0 BB/9. His 12.7% swinging-strike rate is right in the same range it usually is, as is his 93.5 mph average heater.
If there’s an oddity to Watson’s season statistics, it’s his struggles against lefties. While he has never been a pure LOOGY, Watson has historically performed better when facing same-handed hitters. This year, opposing southpaw swingers have tuned him up for a .359/.414/.500 slash — though that’s only a 71-batter sample.
The injury will not have an impact on earnings, at least directly. Watson’s unusually structured contract included loads of bonuses, topping out at his 55th appearance. Having already reached that mark, he’s slated to take home an extra $4MM on top of his $6.5MM base salary (itself boosted by his effort in 2018).
Ending the campaign on the injured list could conceivably increase the allure of the $2.5MM player option that Watson holds, though it still seems reasonably likely he’ll instead take a $500K buyout and re-test free agency. He might have boosted his open-market stock with a strong final month, though Watson does have a long track record to stand on.
This is why they should have moved him before 7/31
No. Teams dont want to trade a player away and have them get hurt. They want the player to succeed and the player they get to be good too.
But injuries are part of the risk factor when you keep players. So that’s one of the reasons why they should’ve moved him. Giles got hurt, Wheeler got hurt, and probably others as well. Trade them when you get a chance.
For who? Just anybody?
I think the Giants are smart to move on from Watson.
I’d love to have him back. But no more than 5 mil per one season. I’m not sure that happens. They traded Dyson making the same amount next season I believe.
Still lots of roster building. I think they have done great. Changing the culture. It will continue with new manager, players, etc. . .
Bochy’s the best.! I’m Gonna Miss Him. Favorite moment. The Don Mattingly mound visit(s). 🙂
In before Pickles Beetches defends the Giants best first baseman Austin Slater
Lol what ? I don’t mind Slater.
Slater isn’t better than Belt
Too early to tell Slater needs to play full time consistently, not pinch hit every other game mixed in with starting a game once a week playing 3/4 of the game. Belt was good a few years ago, he’s starting to sucxk hine t!tty lately.
That was a heckuva play Watson made sneaking that tag on Wong