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

With less than a week until Opening Day, the picture regarding the eight-man Philadelphia Phillies bullpen has become clearer.

Wednesday marked the deadline for three of the team’s non-roster invitee veteran relievers — Brandon Kintzler, Hector Rondon, and Tony Watson — to exercise an opt-out clause in their minor-league contract. The Phillies then had two days to add them to their currently filled 40-man roster.

The fate of the first of these three players was revealed on Thursday, with the release of Rondon. On Friday, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reported that Watson has opted out of his deal with the Phillies, requesting and being granted his release. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb later reported that Kintzler — along with outfielder Matt Joyce — have made the team.

The Phillies cutting ties with Tony Watson is a surprising move.

Kintzler, 36, notably joined the Phillies through the recruitment of Bryce Harper — leaving a guaranteed deal on the the table from his former team in the division-rival Miami Marlins. The gamble ultimately paid off for the veteran, who has tossed 8 2/3 innings this spring and allowed just one earned run while striking out nine and walking two.

Rondon, 33, struggled this spring down in Clearwater, posting an 8.10 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across seven appearances and 6 2/3 innings. The right-handed pitcher allowed eight hits, seven runs (six earned), and one home run, albeit striking out seven batters and walking just two.

The 35-year-old Watson had one bad outing this spring in which he allowed five hits and four runs through just a third of an inning pitched, but otherwise has been effective out of the bullpen, striking out seven and walking just two spanning five innings and seven appearances.

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.