Watson is one of several options the Giants are considering as emergency fill-ins should Mark Melancon (arm) land on the disabled list to begin the year, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon admitted that he was feeling an undisclosed pain in his throwing arm Tuesday, so a start on the disabled list seems likely, even if the Giants are remaining mum on their closer's status. Sam Dyson seems to be the favorite to fill in due to his experience in the role last season, but Watson was also mentioned as a potential replacement. Hunter Strickland -- who had the best spring training of the trio -- was also rumored to be in the mix. All three players are worth a flyer for those hunting for cheap saves.

Watson has agreed to a contract with the Giants, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The terms of the deal are not yet available, but it is believed to be a multi-year deal. Watson will serve as the top lefty in the Giants' bullpen this season, although clearly Mark Melancon and likely Sam Dyson will be ahead of him in the hierarchy for saves. The 32-year-old southpaw is known for outperforming his peripherals, posting an ERA under 3.40 in six straight seasons despite often working with a strikeout rate that is subpar by late-inning reliever standards. He could be a source of value in leagues that reward holds, and could get in the mix for saves if Melancon struggles mightily or gets hurt.

Watson fired a clean inning with two strikeouts in Friday's 1-0 win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Watson has turned things around following his three-run implosion Aug. 8, posting a 2.25 ERA with three holds over his last 10 appearances. The 32-year-old will continue to be used in the later innings as one of the Dodgers' top left-handed options out of the 'pen.

Watson (5-4) was charged with a blown save after giving up three runs on two hits and two walks in the eighth inning against Arizona on Tuesday. He recorded two outs.

EDGE Analysis

After entering with one on and one out, Watson proceeded to load up the bases and then serve up a table-turning grand slam to Jake Lamb. The rough outing pushed his season ERA up to a troubling 4.01 and his WHIP to a horrendous 1.54, and he now has as many blown saves (eight) as holds on the season. While the lefty did record holds in his first two appearances for Los Angeles, he's been far too uneven for fantasy owners to trust him even in leagues that count that category.

The Pirates have agreed to trade Watson to the Dodgers, pending a physical, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson, who compiled a 3.66 ERA in 46.2 innings with the Pirates before being traded, will give the Dodgers a much needed left-handed option out of the bullpen. He also has the ability to give Kenley Jansen an occasional rest at the end of games -- as he collected 10 saves earlier in the season before losing his closing job to Felipe Rivero -- though he'll primarily work in a setup role.

Watson (5-3) gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the seventh inning against the Giants on Wednesday, sending him to the loss column.

EDGE Analysis

After starter Trevor Williams battled San Francisco's Jeff Samardzija to a draw over six innings, Watson came in and promptly ruined things. He just posted an identical stat line (except for the decision) against the Giants on Monday, and these two games have interrupted the momentum he'd been building by allowing just one run over his prior 12.2 innings. At this point, it doesn't look like there's any chance he'll win his old closing gig back from Felipe Rivero.

Watson retired only one batter while allowing one hit and two walks Tuesday in Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

He suffered a cut on the back of his left thumb but continued to pitch through the injury. After a promising relief outing June 29, Watson has fallen back into a season-long trend of inconsistency. With a 3.99 ERA and 1.59 WHIP, the lefty is unlikely to move back into the closer's role anytime soon. He remains a trade deadline candidate, though his value has declined in 2017.

Watson retired both batters he faced Thursday, striking out Corey Dickerson while inducing an Evan Longoria pop-up.

EDGE Analysis

The righty stranded both of Jameson Taillon's runners, retiring both hitters on only four pitches. Watson, who's averaged 92.9 mph with his fastball in 2017, hit 95 mph twice -- a positive development for the deposed closer. It wouldn't be surprising to see Pittsburgh afford him the occasional save opportunity if he continues to show improvement, especially on days when Felipe Rivero is unavailable. Juan Nicasio remains the current backup closer option for Rivero, but it's possible that Nicasio and/or Watson are traded at the deadline.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he considered using Watson in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday's win with the Pirates leading 3-0 over the Marlins, Root Sports in Pittsburgh reports.

EDGE Analysis

Speaking in his post-game media conference, Hurdle said he picked Daniel Hudson over Watson because "he's been rolling." Hudson has been throwing better, but he yielded a solo homer to Ichiro Suzuki on Sunday. Although Watson pitched in a mop-up role Friday, there's reason to believe he'll be back in high-leverage situations in the not-too-distant future. It's not out of the question he could even pick up the odd save in games where Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio are used earlier or unavailable.

Watson retired Florida in order Friday in his first appearance since being removed from the closer's role.

EDGE Analysis

The clean inning was just his fifth in 25 outings. Watson actually appeared in the ninth inning Friday, but it was with the Marlins sporting a seven-run lead. Pittsburgh will likely continue to run the lefty out in low leverage situations in an effort to rebuild the impending free agent's trade value.