Closer Or Not, Tony Watson Ready To Lead Giants' Bullpen

The Giants have a vacancy at closer after losing All-Star left-hander Will Smith to the Braves, but manager Gabe Kapler isn’t committed to opening the season with a fixed replacement.

San Francisco Official Site

Giants Placed Tony Watson On The 60-Day Injured List

San Francisco Official Twitter

Pablo Sandoval's 11th-Inning Homer Keeps Giants Rolling

During the Giants’ implausible rise in less than a month from last-place outsiders to Wild Card contenders, there has been a constant: Turn the ball over to the bullpen, and something good is likely to happen.

San Francisco Official Site

Cardinals Have Done 'Due Diligence' On Tony Watson

I’m told the #STLCards have done due diligence on #SFGiants lefty Tony Watson, probably signaling some interest. Of concern are escalator clauses of $500k each for 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th (which he already has reached), 45th, and 50th appearances. Could make as much as $10.5m.

— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) July 26, 2019

Giants Unlikely To Trade Madison Bumgarner

The Giants have been the most intriguing team in the Majors for the past few weeks, and if their incredible run continues this weekend in San Diego, things could get even more interesting.

MLB Official Site

Is Tony Watson An Option For Relief Help?

The St. Louis Cardinals have been linked over and over to different lefty relief options to fortify that side of the pen. Is a reliever out West and option?

Redbird Rants

Cardinals' Wininng Stretch Tests Carlos Martinez, Spurs Speech For Bullpen Reinforcements; Paul Goldschmidt Goes Where No Righty Has; For Maunan Kea; Extra Bases

A byproduct of the Cardinals’ series of wins so far this month has been a spike in workload for closer Carlos Martinez and a test of his durability, proficiency, and honesty in the role. Before calling on him to pitch the 10th inning for a save Monday, his manager and coaches asked him directly what he could offer them.

Post-Dispatch

Who Should The Cardinals Target At The Deadline?

With the addition of the second wild card, the MLB trade deadline isn't quite what it used to be.

KSDK

Giants Holding Big Trade Chip In Madison Bumgarner

After a disappointing start to the season, the Giants closed out the first half on an optimistic note, winning seven of their final nine games and showcasing an entertaining brand of baseball that helped assuage some of the frustration that had set in earlier in the year.

San Francisco Official Site

Jeff Samardzija Sharp In Spring Tuneup Vs. Rangers

Given the number of questions that loomed over him at the beginning of Spring Training, Jeff Samardzija’s first three Cactus League starts have gone about as well as the Giants could have hoped.

San Francisco Official Site

Cardinals' Bullpen Overhaul Goes Beyond New Name(s)

Of the countless words Cardinals decision-makers have shared about their ongoing mission to fortify a scrambled bullpen, one from president of baseball operations John Mozeliak jumps out.

BenFred

Rumors Say Cardinals Willing To Trade Jose Martinez To Land A Lefty Reliever

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Cardinals have been “pushing” to trade Jose Martinez for left-handed reliever Will Smith.

Belleville News Democrat

Cardinals Add Drew Robinson To Bench While Looking For Closer

The mad, pre-Christmas spending spree a year ago on every contending team’s must-have accessory — a custom-built, fully loaded, high-octane bullpen — proved to be more dollars than sense and may have contributed to a chilling effect on this year’s bidding for relievers. There are many teams, like the Cardinals, who are shopping for ways to finish games.

Post-Dispatch

Tony Watson Could Also Be Option For Cardinals

Derrick Goold Twitter

Cardinals Hoping For Another Standout Start From Adam Wainwright Saturday

Right-hander Adam Wainwright will attempt to pitch himself into postseason form while at the same time helping the St. Louis Cardinals take another step toward the playoffs when he goes against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon.

Fox Sports Midwest

Red Sox Talk To Giants About Will Smith & Tony Watson

Sean McAdam Twitter

If Teams Want Bud Norris, Cardinals Sgould Make A Deal & Let Jordan Hicks Close Games

Every year near baseball’s trade deadline, teams fill needs. Big stars like J.D. Martinez and Manny Machado get moved and usually a contender needs a catcher like Jonathan Lucroy or Martin Maldonado. Utility guys like Eduardo Nunez or Astrubal Cabrera get traded at the deadline every year. Most years, a big-name starter such as Justin Verlander, Sonny Gray, J.A. Happ or Cole Hamels get traded, too. But every year, EVERY team needs bullpen help.

101 ESPN

Pablo Sandoval Foils Cubs' Packed Infield For Walk-Off

With a bat in his hand, Pablo Sandoval almost always is the right man in the right spot.

San Francisco Official Site

This 2017 Playoff Team Will Be An Active Seller

The Twins made a surprise American League Wild Card Game appearance last year, then added Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi during Spring Training in moves praised by peers within the industry.

MiLB Official Site

Mark Melancon Cautious After First Spring Action

Following right forearm surgery, an offseason of recovery and a 1-2-3 inning in his Cactus League debut Wednesday, Giants closer Mark Melancon wasn't quite sure how to summarize the state of his throwing arm.

San Francisco Official Site