The Rays have struck a minor-league deal with righty Dustin McGowan, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). He’ll receive an invitation to MLB camp and would earn a $1.5MM salary in the majors, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).
Soon to turn 36, the former first-round pick has spent the past two campaigns with the Marlins. He posted a notable bounceback effort in 2016 but stumbled in last year.
To be fair, McGowan did still managed to handle 77 2/3 frames over 63 appearances, so he’s still capable of bearing a substantial load. But he had a tough season in the results department, posting a 4.75 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.
Despite carrying a typically solid 50.9% groundball rate last year, McGowan coughed up 13 home runs. He also lost some velocity after showing career-best rates in 2016, but still averaged over 94 with both his four and two-seam fastballs.
In the aggregate, it seems McGowan will have his work cut out to earn a shot on the Opening Day roster. At a minimum, he’ll have a chance to establish position on the overall reliever depth chart. It’s worth remembering that there could yet be some added opportunities in Tampa Bay depending upon how the rest of the offseason unfolds.
*gets injured attempting to sign the contract*
Tampa Times tells us he’s too timid to throw
Hes diabetic, has an insulin pump attached on the back of his belt.
Wasn’t Dustin McGowan Adam Sandler’s nemesis in Happy Gilmore?
Shooter McGavin
you guys are a bunch of idiots to take on the guy like that. he was a Jay and it can’t be more frustrated than it was for us and yet, we have him a warm welcome and an opportunity to win when he made it back. what a bunch of jerks you guys are. I guess that has to do a lot with being an American.
Please ignore this “person”. He does not represent Canada or the Canadian people.
Ya he must be French. Defiantly doesn’t represent Canada as I would have loved the jays to have signed him, always liked Dustin
Another news byte, another no name getting signed. I keep hoping to see a headline that says Cardinals sign Yu Darvish or something ….
Any relation to Rose?
Dustin had a tough road to the big leagues after being a first round pick. But he eventually made it. Talk about perserverance. He had a couple of good years releiving for the Jays. Power arm. Health is obviously the issue. I wish him well.
Trudeau(aka…Vanilla Obama) has destroyed Canada