Cleveland Indians: Five potential free agent bargains to sign

By Ryan Rosko | Jan 17, 2018

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Gloves and ball sit on the field during batting practice before Game Three of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Tony Watson, LHP

Tony Watson should be a specialist regardless of the team he plays for. I don’t believe every team that has had him always viewed Watson that way.

Now more than ever, teams can never have too many options, especially lefties. Given the layout of the Indians’ bullpen, in addition to specialist situations, Watson would do well when a starting pitcher gets pulled way too early, along with being a holder between the fifth and sixth innings.

It would be nice for Cleveland to sign Watson and use him roughly every other day but the cards may already be aligning elsewhere.

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently dealt their ace Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros. Cleveland is looking to get back to being the class of the AL. To do that, however, they must defeat Houston and by adding Cole, their job got even more challenging. Not just because of Cole but because of Watson.

Brian McTaggart, the Astros’ beat reporter for MLB.com explained:

This is interesting. Free agent lefty reliever Tony Watson and Gerrit Cole are great friends
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) January 14, 2018

While no agreement has been made yet, if there weren’t already competition for Watson, you can say for sure there is now.

As a member of the Pirates and then the Los Angeles Dodgers, Watson made $5.6 million in 2017. Between the two teams, Watson finished with a 7-4 record to go along with a 3.38 ERA, 10 saves, 0.9 WAR, and a 1.38 WHIP in 66 2/3 innings.

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