SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Historically, engineering trades with the Pirates or signing free agents who are fresh off playing in Pittsburgh has worked well for the Giants.
The Giants hope left-hander Tony Watson, who's expected to report to camp for Monday's initial full-squad workout after they plucked him from free agency on Saturday, will continue the trend. Watson ended last season with the Dodgers, but he was with the Pirates for 6 1/2 years before that.
Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, obtained in a trade from Pittsburgh last month, also can help sustain this streak. Before McCutchen, the last member of the Pirates organization to thrive upon joining the Giants was right-hander Hunter Strickland, who arrived in a 2013 waiver claim.
Trade Deadline deals with the Pirates in back-to-back years hastened the Giants' ascent to World Series titles. First baseman/outfielder John Bowker and right-hander Joe Martinez went to Pittsburgh for left-hander Javier Lopez in 2010, one year after the Giants exchanged pitching prospect Tim Alderson for second baseman Freddy Sanchez in '09.
The most famous former Pirate acquired by the Giants? Barry Bonds, who hit 586 home runs in 15 seasons in San Francisco.
• Right-hander Julian Fernandez will refrain from throwing for a couple of days while he recovers from a cut finger on his pitching hand. Fernandez, the hard-throwing Rule 5 draftee, injured himself when he grazed his finger against his locker stall.