The Diamondbacks announced today that they have re-signed left-hander T.J. McFarland to a one-year deal. Arizona had non-tendered him last week, but he’ll return for a second season with the Snakes on an $850K base salary, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports (via Twitter). McFarland, an Octagon client, can also earn another $350K worth of incentives. He’d been projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $1MM in arbitration, so the D-backs potentially saved a bit of cash with the move.
The 28-year-old McFarland logged an unsightly 5.33 ERA with just 4.8 K/9 against 2.8 BB/9 in 54 innings last season. But, he also racked up an impressive 67 percent ground-ball rate and held opposing lefties to a putrid .211/.256/.292 batting line in 80 plate appearances. Deployed in a more specialized role, there’s certainly the possibility that McFarland could deliver considerably better numbers in 2018.
McFarland will also be eligible for arbitration in each of the next two offseasons, so the D-backs can control him all the way through the 2020 campaign if he can turn in improved results.
I thought he pitched well for the Dbacks. Two outings, one against the Cubs in which he gave up six runs while eating innings in a blowout loss & a spot start in Min in which he gave up seven runs in a third of an inning, really skewed his numbers.
He was the third LHP in the BP, basically used as the garbage man & not often as a situational pitcher. If JDLR isn’t brought back, he will probably be used in a more refined role as the second LHP in the BP. And likely produce better numbers.
Any relation to Seth?
Different last names, so probably not.
Didn’t he have Tommy John surgery?