Pirates Send Watson To Dodgers, Acquire Benoit From Phillies
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The Pirates have traded pitcher Tony Watson to the Los Angeles Dodgers and acquired right-handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Watson's trade to the Dodgers was first reported by MLB Insider Jon Heyman on Twitter:
with dodgers getting watson, interesting to see if they add britton, too. he is main target for LAD.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
watson gives dodgers lefty they needed, and also a guy who can spell kenley a bit so as to save him (once in a awhile)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
In exchange, the Pirates get minor league infielder Oneil Cruz and minor league right-handed pitcher Angel German from the Dodgers.
MLB DEADLINE: The Dodgers reportedly have a deal in place with the Pirates where they will send Tony Watson to LA pending medical review pic.twitter.com/o5fRwYrcXb
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 31, 2017
Watson, a 32-year-old lefty, is 5-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 47 games for the Pirates this season. Watson also has 10 saves after beginning the season as Pittsburgh's closer but was removed in favor of Felipe Rivero after blowing consecutive save opportunities in Baltimore in June.
Watson was an All-Star in 2014 while serving as a setup man for Mark Melancon. Watson, who will become a free agent in December, is also highly durable. He's made 450 appearances since making his major league debut in 2011.
The Pirates then acquired Benoit from the Phillies in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Seth McGarry.
Benoit was 1-4 with two saves and a 4.07 ERA in 44 appearances. The 40-year-old joins his eighth team in his 16 seasons in the majors.
McGarry had a 1.34 ERA in 31 games for Single-A Bradenton this season. He was selected in the eighth round of the 2015 draft from Florida Atlantic.
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(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)