Tony Watson Goes for Prospects; Joaquin Benoit Takes His Spot

Goodbye, Tony, hello Joaquin. Todays Bucco deadline deals:

• LHP Tony Watson went to the Dodgers for INF Oneil Cruz and RHP Angel German. Cruz, an 18-year-old Dominican, is in his first year stateside. He's hitting .240 and has split time between 3B and SS. He's a bean pole at 6'6", 175 lbs. and was LA's #21 prospect. German is a Class-A 21-year-old who's having a good year (1-0-7/1.91, 10 K/nine, four BB/nine) with a rep as a good stuff, bad command guy.
• The Phillies traded RHP Joaquin Benoit and cash considerations to Pirates for RHP Seth McGarry. Benoit, 40, is 1-4-2/4.07 in 44 games and is a FA after the season. McGarry, 23, is Bradenton's closer with a 1-0-14/1.34 slash.

Tony goes to LA (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Tony signed with Scott Boras in his walk year and then had a pretty blah campaign to back it up, making him eminently tradeable. Word was that Washington had some interest in Watson too.

Cruz is an interesting piece. Per MLB.com:

...he has considerable power potential that he'll begin to realize as he gets stronger. His quick hands are an asset as he tries to make more consistent contact (he has 110 K in 342 AB). Cruz has exceptional body control (but) his size makes him destined to be a third baseman, and he has the agility and arm strength to be a solid defender there. A long strider who has above-average speed underway, he'll probably lose a step once he fills out.

We assume German will swap spots with the departed McGarry at Bradenton; apparently the FO feels he's the more projectable of the pair. Seems like a fair if not very sexy deal; Tony didn't help the return with his performance.

Benoit is a 16-year vet joining his eighth team rental and he will replace Tony as a middle man. Interestingly, he makes nearly $2M than Watson, and we assume the "cash considerations" are the Phillies eating a good bit of that salary. Benoit has pitched better than his counting numbers - he averages nine K with a 1.143 WHIP and .206 oppo BA, although the 3.4 walks is a bit on the high side.

The one thing the deals didn't do was improve the club for next season, as both Cruz and Germany are years away from the show if they do make it, though it did clear up some payroll. Finally, Juan Nicasio and John Jaso, both in their final contract year, remain Buccos as no "compelling" offers were made for their services.