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Dodgers: Possible Southpaw Reliever Trade Candidates

By Michael Wittman

Apr 24, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore (36) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore (36) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson (44) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson (44) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Tony Watson – Pittsburgh Pirates

After dealing away their closer Mark Melancon last season, the Pirates may do the same thing this season and trade away closer Tony Watson.  Watson is one of the sure bets to be on the trade market since he is a free agent after this season and the Pirates are towards the bottom of the competitive NL Central.  While Watson is a currently a closer he could be a situational lefty on the Dodgers or the main eight-inning setup man.

Watson is not having his best season despite his ten saves and 3.38 ERA.  Lefties are hitting .367 against him this season which is .100 points higher than his average allowed to right-handed hitters.  He does have a history of being a lefty stopper as evidenced by his .211 average allowed to lefties in 2016 and a .186 average allowed to lefties in 2015.  Since he does have closer experience, he could be an option to close on the Dodgers when Kenley Jansen needs a breather.

Unlike Brad Hand, the cost to get Tony Watson would be much more reasonable since he makes five million this season and is due to become a free agent at the end of the year.  Since the Pirates don’t want to lose him for nothing, they could be highly motivated to trade him before the deadline.  Out of all the lefty relievers on the market, Watson gives the Dodgers the most flexibility since he has closer experience.  Out of all the candidates to be traded, I think Watson has the highest probability of being traded to the Dodgers.

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