Troy

Watson

Watson, 28, had a 2.75 ERA and a 97/37 K/BB in 104 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A last year. He opened up as a reliever at Erie before making 14 starts, with the last 10 of those coming at Toledo. He’ll make an unusually high $1.2 million if he’s in the majors, which is probably meant to discourage anyone from taking him in the Rule 5 draft.

Watson was acquired by the Tigers in the ever-so-rare post-deadline trade, and the Tigers will give him another look in the Grapefruit League. In 2024, he forged an ugly 7.53 ERA over 36 appearances — 15 starts — with an 81/49 K/BB across 75 1/3 innings.

Watson heads to the Tigers in a rare post trade deadline deal as extra organizational depth. The 27-year-old righty holds an inflated 8.61 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and 48/30 K/BB ratio across 46 innings (26 appearances, seven starts) this season at the Triple-A level.