Editorials

Dodgers Officially Sign Brandon McCarthy To Four-Year Deal



UPDATE (Dec. 16, 12:05 p.m. PT): To make room for Brandon McCarthy on the 40-man roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Brian Wilson for assignment.

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As had been expected with recent reports they were nearing an agreement and Brandon McCarthy giving his Twitter avatar a makeover, the Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the signing of the right-hander to a four-year contract on Tuesday.

McCarthy began last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the New York Yankees in July, which coincided with a better win-loss mark, and lower ERA and WHIP totals. Overall, McCarthy finished the 2014 season 10-15 in 32 starts with a 4.05 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.

During his time with the Yankees, the 31-year-old went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA, 174 ERA+ and 1.15 WHIP. The 10 wins McCarthy recorded last season was a career high, so too were his 200 innings pitched and 175 strikeouts.

Given that 2013 was McCarthy’s first season in the National League, he’s made just one career start at Dodger Stadium, which was a no-decision in 2014. McCarthy figures to slot in as the Dodgers’ fourth starter in the rotation with Dan Haren having been sent to the Miami Marlins.

During the Winter Meetings, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman indicated the Dodgers planned on adding two starting pitchers this offseason. With McCarthy now in the fold and Brett Anderson believed to be the next addition, the Dodgers may done addressing the rotation.

If that winds up being the case, the elite free agent pitchers many believed the Dodgers would pursue would have signed elsewhere. Jon Lester is off the market as he’s signed with the Chicago Cubs, but Max Scherzer and James Shields are currently available.

It remains plausible the Dodgers could expand their expected trade for Jimmy Rollins to include Cole Hamels, though adding the left-hander may no longer be as much of a need as it was perceived one week ago.

While the McCarthy signing was made official, the Dodgers haven’t yet announced a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster.

Staff Writer

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