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Giants ‘in constant contact’ with Angels regarding left-handed relievers [report]

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© Brad Penner | 2018 Aug 23


The Giants have been in constant contact with the Los Angeles Angels regarding left-handed relievers Tony Watson and Will Smith, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper was the first to float the idea that the Giants would look to move the relievers this offseason, during an interview with KNBR in December.

“To me, just reading by what Farhan (Zaidi) and the Giants executives are doing, is they’re going to make a trade,” Kuiper said. “And I’m convinced that they’re going to end up losing — and I don’t think it’s going to be Bumgarner — but I do believe they are going to lose one of their two left-handers. And they’ll get a really good player for either (Tony) Watson or Will Smith.”

Smith and Watson were arguably the two best pitchers in the Giants bullpen last year. Smith posted a 2.55 ERA with a team best 0.98 WHIP in 54 appearances, while Watson posted a similarly impressive 2.59 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 72 appearances, good for second lowest on the team.

“I love both those guys, they’re great,” Kuiper said. “They’re great in the clubhouse, they don’t want to leave, they love the organization and the city, but things can’t stay the same if you’re not generating enough offense. World championships bring people to the ballpark, but if you’re not winning world championships then a few wins and scoring runs will bring people to the ballpark.”

Listen to the full interview below. To hear Kuip on the potential trade, start from 7:30.