The D-backs announced on Friday that they’ve signed southpaw T.J. McFarland to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training. The former Orioles reliever was designated for assignment and subsequently released last week. Baltimore had reportedly hoped to retain McFarland on a new minor league deal, but the left-hander apparently saw a better opportunity in the Diamondbacks organization.
The 27-year-old McFarland enjoyed a solid season with the Orioles in 2014 — one year after spending the 2013 season with the team as a Rule 5 pick. However, he’s yet to replicate the 2.76 ERA he notched in 58 2/3 frames that season. Rather, he’s struggled to a 5.68 ERA with 4.6 K/9 against 3.9 BB/9 in his past 65 big league innings. McFarland was hit hard by left-handed opponents last year — the worst season of his career — but held opposing lefties to a combined .246/.309/.330 batting line in a total of 194 plate appearances between the 2014-15 campaigns. He also boasts a gaudy 60.7 percent ground-ball rate in his Major League career, which undoubtedly appeals to the Diamondbacks, who play their home games in an extremely homer-friendly environment.
Presently, Andrew Chafin is the only left-hander that’s guaranteed a role in the Arizona bullpen. Looking further, the D-backs aren’t carrying an abundance of options in camp, with Steve Hathaway representing an optionable candidate for a second spot in the ‘pen. Non-roster options with whom McFarland will compete include veteran Jorge De La Rosa, Triple-A lefty Jared Miller and former teammate Brian Matusz.
Good for a while and then his fastball flattened out. As an O’s fan it would have been nice to stash him in the minors, but might crack the bigs for the diamondbacks
I’m calling it! 2017 NL Cy young winner.
DBacks have quietly put together a fair stash of bullpen options on minor league deals that could pay big dividends. Wilhelmsen, Hoover, Jepsen, Matusz, Rubby and Jorge De La Rosa, Sampson, and now McFarland. They could be a surprise team this year if a few of these guys return to their previous forms, which isn’t too much of a stretch.
Dodgers Giants Rockies Diamondbacks Padres
Yep
The Diamondbacks are likely the favorites to win the national league West now. Tjs brother makes some funny ass cartoons as well.
I’m glad the O’s got effed on this. They decided to screw the guy out of a few $$ (literally like $150K or something, as he was due about $690K & league min is like $535K), figuring they had him over a barrel & he had no option but to come crawling back to them. Good for him for giving them the finger, even if he plays for AZ for the min or even in the minors. Hope he has a great year, and the O’s find themselves desperate for a lefty, causing them to either vastly overpay for one or miss the postseason.
$150k is not a few dollars, for one. Secondly, he will not cause the Orioles or anyone else to make or miss the postseason. The only thing I’ll say is we never should have tendered him a contract. Adios TJ. I always hated wathing you pitch.