Houston Astros: Team should target reliever Tony Watson via trade

The Houston Astros has had a taxed bullpen as of late and another reliever at the trade deadline will help. Here’s why they should pursue Tony Watson.

The Houston Astros are charging through the season as leaders of the AL West and the majors, boasting a 48-23 record through 71 games. They’re nearly at the halfway of the point of the season and one could categorize the state of the team as strong as ever.

They’re hitting the ball well, they’re playing terrific defense and the pitching despite some mishaps every now and then is holding up admirably against the competition.

Despite all of what I just mentioned, there’s always room for improvement and I think the Houston Astros could do so by adding another reliever — preferably a lefty — to add to their stable in the bullpen.

Things got so bad for the Houston Astros that they had to call up Rogelio Armenteros from Triple-A to help try to stop the bleeding. Armenteros pitched well in his debut this past Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. He came in relief for Gerrit Cole and pitched the remaining three innings of the game, earned his first MLB-career save, allowed just two hits and tossed three strikeouts.

It’s notable that he was able to hold up to the mettle when tested but the Houston Astros were up 10-2 when Armenteros came into the game. But the fact that he didn’t allow another run definitely shows that he’s ready to change the narrative of his struggles in Triple-A this season.

But the Houston Astros need another lefty weapon and Cionel Perez continues to get clobbered — he currently has an 11.25 ERA — and you can only trot out “lefty-specialist” Will Harris so much.

Let me tell you — Tony Watson is that guy and I wanted him years ago when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates and he’s still dealing pretty damn well at age 34.

With a 30-38 record, the San Francisco Giants currently hold the last spot in the NL West and they may decide to throw in the towel for the season, an unfortunate swan song to manager Bruce Bochy‘s storied career. Their stagnation may precipitate the decision of putting Watson on the market.

It’s tough to guess where the Giants think they are in contending for something this season but

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methinks it’s not going to be for extended months after September.

A lower-level prospect should do the trick in exchange.

Watson has posted a 2.60 ERA coupled with 22 strikeouts as well as allowing just eight earned runs and four homers through 27.2 innings pitched this season. He also possesses a near-impeccable 1.08 WHIP through that span as well.

Now the Houston Astros don’t necessarily have to trade for a reliever, especially with their depth on the roster and in the farm. Plus, their bullpen has the third-best ERA (3.21), the best WHIP (1.13) and third-best K/BB ratio (3.04) in the majors so things are running smoothly on that front.

But acquiring Watson would move this bullpen even further up the echelon and although he’s typically categorized as a closer, having him on this roster will make them more potent than ever.

Next. Astros: The importance of the organizational depth. dark

Let’s do it, Houston Astros.

The MLB trade deadline is set for Wednesday, July 31 by 3 p.m. CDT. Let’s hope for the best.

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