Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Brandon McCarthy Nearing Four-Year Deal

UPDATE (Dec. 13, 12:40 p.m. PT): According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brandon McCarthy are sorting out the details of a four-year, $48 million contract:

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After the Los Angeles Dodgers diligently worked to put together a new front office in place led by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi, the same activity had yet to translate to the roster.

Yes, heading into the Winter Meetings the Dodgers had completed six trades and made three waiver claims, but none of the moves were considered groundbreaking. That changed Wednesday as the Dodgers reportedly traded for Jimmy Rollins and later agreed to send Dee Gordon and Dan Haren as part of a package to the Miami Marlins.

With official word yet to be provided on either of the trades, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says they are close to signing free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract:

Coming off a season in which he earned $10.25 million, McCarthy will receive $48 million over the lifetime of the four-year deal:

McCarthy began the 2014 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the New York Yankees with a 3-10 record, 5.01 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. The 31 year old went on to make 14 starts with the Yankees and finished 7-5 while lowering his ERA to 2.89 and WHIP to 1.51.

Collectively, McCarthy went 10-15 with a 4.05 ERA in 32 starts last season. Although 2014 was his second season with the Diamondbacks after spending his career in the American League, McCarthy has only made one career start at Dodger Stadium in which he walked away with a no-decision.

With Haren potentially on his way to Miami, which may lead to his retirement, it opens another spot in the Dodgers’ rotation. Whether by their own doing or simply being passed over, they failed to land Jon Lester and it’s led to some believing they may aggressively pursue Cole Hamels.

McCarthy’s arrival doesn’t necessarily indicate that won’t be the case, but he will give the team some added insurance with the market for pitchers surely to become unlocked with Lester no longer available.

While acquiring a big-name pitcher would be the splash many expect from the Dodgers, McCarthy better fits the bill for what the team needs — a back of the rotation starter.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

2 Comments

  1. all this talk of the money saved moving contracts and they give this guy almost 50 mil……horseshit…..

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