Per the minor league transactions tracker, the Toronto Blue Jays made a depth move to start the month of August, sending prospect pitcher Troy Watson to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
On the same day, the Jays claimed catcher Nick Raposo off of waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals and also signed 2024 MLB Draft picks Trey Yesavage and Gavin Smith – whether the respective roster moves are related or not to the Watson deal is still to be determined.
A product of the University of Northern Colorado, the Blue Jays drafted Watson in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft and the right-hander has been working his way up the minor league ladder ever since. Injuries had limited the right-hander over the years, with the prospect hitting the IL in 2019 and 2023 and also missing considerable time halfway through the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Blue Jays trade prospect Troy Watson to the Detroit Tigers
A member of the bullpen who could also make spot starts if needed, Watson spent the entire 2024 campaign in Buffalo after breaking the triple-A squad for six appearances the season prior. This year, the right-hander authored an 8.61 ERA through 26 outings (seven starts) and pitched to a 9.4 K/9 and a 2.087 WHIP through 46 innings. The Texas product has struggled mightily with his command this season, walking batters at a 5.9 BB/9 clip.
The Tigers acquired RHP Troy Watson from the Blue Jays for cash considerations today. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Toledo.
This is a minor-league trade not subject to the deadline.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 1, 2024
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Watson’s best season came in 2022 when he returned from elbow surgery, where he authored a 2.79 ERA split between three levels – rookie ball, single-A, and high-A – and struck out opposing hitters at a 12.1 K/9 clip with a 3.1 BB/9 rate through 29 innings.
At 27 years old, Watson joins the Tigers triple-A affiliate in Toledo and will continue working out of the bullpen, tossing a scoreless inning with one hit and one strikeout in his debut with the Mud Hens. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter and should also be in line for minor league free agency given his years of service in the Jays system (six years).