Phillies agree to minor-league contract with lefty reliever Tony Watson

Toss another veteran relief pitcher into the Phillies’ bullpen mix.

As pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday to Clearwater, Fla., for their first workout, the Phillies signed left-hander Tony Watson to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training. The 35-year-old will make $3 million, plus as much as $1 million in performance bonuses, if he cracks the major-league roster.

Watson had a 2.50 ERA with 15 strikeouts and three walks in 18 innings last season for the San Francisco Giants. He has a 2.80 ERA in 627 major-league appearances over the last 10 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Giants.

It’s usually difficult for non-roster invitees to win a job over players who are on the 40-man roster. But the Phillies bullpen is a land of opportunity for Watson, Brandon Kintzler, and Héctor Rondón, experienced relievers who agreed to minor-league deals and a chance to compete for a spot.

“One guy was second in saves last year in the National League in Kintzler,” manager Joe Girardi said. “A lot of these guys have five years experience, seven years experience, 10 years experience. I think the competition will be much better.”

Something to watch with Watson: His average fastball velocity slid to 89.9 mph last season from 93 mph in 2019. But like Kintzler, Watson has always been known more for getting weak contact on the ground than for piling up strikeouts.

Watson has stayed consistent over the last few years, too. Of the 254 relievers who appeared in 100 or more games since 2016, he ranks 28th in innings pitched (272⅓) and 51st in ERA (3.21). Only once during that span has he posted an ERA above 3.38.

» READ MORE: Projecting the Phillies’ opening-day roster as spring training begins | Extra Innings

He also has been nearly as effective against right-handed hitters (.658 OPS) as lefties (.602) throughout his career.

José Alvarado and JoJo Romero are the primary lefty relievers with major-league experience on the Phillies’ 40-man roster. Ranger Suárez, who pitched well in relief two years ago, was limited to four innings last season because of COVID-19.

The Phillies could carry eight or nine relievers at the beginning of the season. Barring injury, Archie Bradley and Héctor Neris are locks. Alvarado, Romero and right-handers Connor Brogdon and Sam Coonrod could also figure prominently in the bullpen.

The Phillies finalized a one-year contract with popular utilityman Brad Miller, who will make $3.5 million this season.

Although Miller figures to be used mostly as a left-handed hitter off the bench, he also offers positional versatility, including in left field when Andrew McCutchen needs rest or as a backup to first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who is returning from elbow surgery.

Miller, 31, hit seven homers in 142 at-bats last season for the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the continuation of a power surge that began with the Phillies late in the 2019 season, when he slugged seven homers in his final 29 at-bats.

But Miller’s most memorable contribution two years ago came when he bought a bamboo plant from a shop in Chinatown and brought it into the clubhouse for good luck. The Phillies promptly reeled off four consecutive wins after a seven-game losing skid.

To open a spot on the 40-man roster, reliever Seranthony Dominguez was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Dominguez isn’t expected to pitch this season while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery.

Despite signaling early in the offseason that they might dial back the payroll after revenue losses last year, the Phillies stand at roughly $197 million for competitive-balance tax purposes, only about $10 million less than their CBT payroll in 2020. “[Ownership is] making a commitment to winning and telling the fans we’re going for it, and I applaud them for that because they had losses last year,” Girardi said. “Everybody had losses last year. But they really stepped up, and now it’s up to us to reward them.” ... Girardi said there were no COVID-19-related absences among the pitchers and catchers. Feliz, Suárez, Mauricio Llovera, Francisco Morales, and catcher Christian Bethancourt are delayed because of visa issues.