Phillies will regret not adding Tony Watson to 26-man roster

It wasn’t likely both Tony Watson and Brandon Kintzler would make the team.

On Tuesday, left-handed Watson allowed a couple of hits and an unearned run. After the game, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury noted that manager Joe Girardi “did not sound optimistic” when asked if both Kintzler and Watson could make the team.

Girardi said he was not sure, and that the team would have discussions over the next few days and decide what is best for the team, adding: “They both have thrown the ball pretty well and we’re just going to have to make some decisions.”

Ultimately, Kintzler won a roster spot over Watson, who is a 10-year veteran with a career ERA of 2.80 ERA. Last season, he recorded a 2.50 ERA across 21 appearances and 18 innings. The 2020 Phillies finished one game out of a postseason spot because of their bullpen, and a reliever like Watson could have made all the difference. The club will regret not giving him an Opening Day roster spot.

Kintzler, Rondon, and Watson had been among nine pitchers competing for five bullpen spots, joining right-handers Archie Bradley and Hector Neris, and offseason trade acquisition, left-hander Jose Alvarado. Girardi prefers an eight-man bullpen and five-man bench, along with his eight position player starters and five rotation arms to round out the 26-man Phillies roster.

Luxury tax played a factor in Phillies not retaining Tony Watson

Both the Kintzer and Watson signings in mid-February were for one year and $3 million if either made the big-league club. The 2021 Phillies projected payroll already exceeds $200 million, close to the luxury tax threshold, so the team has recently been careful with adding players.

Ideally, the Phillies would like to leave themselves some room to make roster additions during the season. Salisbury recently wrote that the Phillies had to “weigh the benefits” of carrying Watson over young southpaw reliever JoJo Romero, who already owns a 40-man roster spot and will earn the major-league minimum in 2021.

Now that Watson is no longer in the southpaw picture, Romero could now lock in one of the few remaining bullpen spots up for grabs.

Other Phillies roster cuts

The Phillies also recently optioned left-hander Ranger Suarez and outfielder Mickey Moniak to minor-league camp — notably ending the latter player and former No. 1 overall pick’s bid to be named the Opening Day starter at center field.

Adam Haseley has returned to action from an injury earlier than expected, and re-enters the conversation as a serious candidate for the spot. It could be down to a four-man race between Haseley, Roman Quinn, non-roster invitee Odubel Herrera, and utility player Scott Kingery.

Suarez, 25, arrived to Phillies spring training late due to visa issues, and had yet to appear in a game due to tweaking his quadriceps earlier in March. The Phillies will rely on the left-hander as starting rotation depth, if the need arises during the season.

Earlier in the week, the Phillies also optioned right-hander Ramon Rosso to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, as well as re-assigned non-roster invitee right-handers Bryan Mitchell and Michael Ynoa to minor-league camp. Along with Rondon, fellow right-hander Ivan Nova, as well as catcher Jeff Mathis, have also been recently released.

Also on Friday, right-hander Spencer Howard was optioned to minor-league camp, while outfielder Simon Muzziotti was placed on the restricted list.

These cuts only make the Phillies bullpen outlook more defined as the season fast approaches.