If you considered the 2020 bullpen a growing concern, Tony Watson’s decision to exercise his player option for next season should partially allay some concerns. He’ll have a $2.5 million base salary and up to $5 million in incentives that he can earn, which if that happens means he’s had a fantastic bounce back season.
Relievers are a mostly unreliable bunch year to year, but even as Watson has shown obvious, unfortunate decline since turning 30 —
2015 (30): 204 ERA+ | 1.91 ERA/2.84 FIP
2016 (31): 136 ERA+ | 3.06 ERA/4.37 FIP
2017 (32): 126 ERA+ | 3.