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The San Francisco Giants are reuniting with a former player, as they traded for Los Angeles Angels left-handed reliever Tony Watson at the trade deadline buzzer.
The news was first announced by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
Tony Watson traded to Giants.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021
In return, the Giants are sending a fellow lefty reliever to the Angels: Sam Selman, who spent time on the MLB roster this year but was currently playing in AAA Sacramento. They’re also sending two prospects: Jose Marte and Ivan Armstrong.
The #Angels are getting 30-year-old LHP Sam Selman from the Giants. He has a 4.06 ERA in 37.2 MLB innings. This year at AAA, he has a 4.03 ERA in 22.1 IP.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 30, 2021
Presumably this is the return for Tony Watson.
I have *not* had this confirmed but industry source says that’s the return. And yes Jose Marte and Ivan Armstrong
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 30, 2021
The Giants signed Watson prior to the 2018 season, and he stayed with the team through 2020. He had a 3.20 ERA and 3.62 FIP while with the Giants, and was spectacular in his first season with the team, when he had a 2.59 ERA, a 2.45 FIP, and 72 strikeouts to 14 walks in 66 innings.
He’s struggled this year with the Angels, with a 4.64 ERA and 4.10 FIP, but the Giants presumably like their chances of getting him back on track with their coaching staff.
Selman, who is 30, made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Giants. In 41 appearances over the last three seasons he had a 4.06 ERA and a 5.00 FIP, with 41 strikeouts to 19 walks in 37.2 innings. He was having a very rough season in seven appearances this year, and was also struggling in AAA.
Marte is a 25-year old right-handed pitcher who has been playing in AA for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. He has a 3.57 ERA and 2.33 FIP on the year, with 36 strikeouts to 15 walks in 22 innings.
Armstrong is a 21-year old right-handed pitcher having a strong year for the Low-A San Jose Giants. He has a 1.88 ERA, a 3.20 FIP, and 43 strikeouts to 14 walks in 38.1 innings.