The Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with former Royals reliever Kevin McCarthy, according to the team’s transactions log at MLB.com. He’s represented by Pro Agents Inc. and, presumably, will be in big league camp once Spring Training gets underway.
The 30-year-old McCarthy spent parts of the 2016-20 seasons in the Kansas City bullpen, logging a combined 191 2/3 innings of 3.80 ERA ball along the way. His career 14.5% strikeout rate is well below the league average, but McCarthy’s 7.4% walk rate is strong and his 58.7% ground-ball rate would place him among the league leaders in any given season. That said, after averaging 94 mph on his sinker as a rookie in 2016, the former 16th-rounder has seen his velocity drop annually — bottoming out at an average of 90 mph in his six innings of 2020 work.
McCarthy was passed through outright waivers following that 2020 season and elected minor league free agency. He signed a minor league pact with the Red Sox and spent the first several months of the season in their system before being released in mid-August. He latched on with the White Sox on another minor league deal and tossed another 7 2/3 innings with their Triple-A affiliate.
On the whole, the 2021 season wasn’t a good one for McCarthy, who was hit hard with both Sox organizations — posting an ERA north of 7.00 at each stop. He finished the year with 43 innings of 7.12 ERA ball in Triple-A. McCarthy did, however, post a 20.3% strikeout rate that’s a good bit higher than his prior strikeout rates, and he did so while maintaining a superlative walk rate (4.4%) and a strong ground-ball rate (48%). There’s little harm for the Cubs to bring him in on a nonguaranteed pact to see if he can maintain the strikeout gains while doing away with some of the alarming rise in hits allowed (which was fueled, in part, by a sky-high .408 BABIP with the Red Sox’ top affiliate).
As it stands, the Cubs’ bullpen picture ought to be wide open. The only relievers on the roster with more than a year of big league experience are Rowan Wick, Codi Heuer and Brad Wieck. Left-hander Justin Steele, 26, and right-hander Scott Effross, 28, both had strong showings in limited samples out of the bullpen and could have the inside track on relief gigs at the moment, but there’s plenty of opportunity for McCarthy and other minor league signees (e.g. Jonathan Holder, Eric Yardley) to grab a spot with some strong work either in Spring Training or early in the Triple-A season. The Cubs could well sign a veteran reliever or two post-lockout, but even in that event, there’s still room for a non-roster player or two to win a job in camp.
What, did Tom Ricketts get confused or something?
What am I missing?
Ronald Reagan used to broadcast Cub games on the radio way back in the day.
Nice he’s gonna be speaker of the house and a back end bullpen arm that’s the kinda versatility this team needs
gonna be tough to throw a baseball without a spine.
Nancy’s probably happy he’s out of her hair now
Nancy is getting her hair blown out right now, she has to wash Kevin right out of her hair
From Minority Speaker to the Cubs
Is Kevin feeling better or worse?
My first thought was the veteran character actor, but then I’m ancient.
The guy from Knotts Landing? And a cop show I think……
Don’t think he was ever on Knot’s Landing. He was in the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Also played the bad guy in Innerspace and UHF.
You’re right….confused him with Kevin Dobson.
Crocker!!!!!!
Who loves ya, baby? Lollipops, anyone?
That’s where my mind went too.
He was in a good Twilight Zone episode
McCarthy’s Park is melting in the dark… wait…
Would of like to seen the Orioles give Kevin a shot at the bullpen. He pitched decent with KC. I am thinking 2021 was a fluke.
“They’re here already! You’re next! You’re next!”
Better make sure he wasn’t replaced with a pod person.
What is it about these soft tossers that Jed Hoyer likes so much? The rotation is filled with low velo guys.
The guy from Knotts Landing? And a cop show I think……
Stick a fork in him. He is done. McCarthy was terrible at AAA for the Red Sox last year. He will only remain in the roster until the MLB and players strike is settled, as about 10-13 players on the current 40-man rosters of each team would have been sent to AAA (most organizations have 2-4 who will be shifted to the DL). Most of the McCarthy types will be released at the conclusion of spring train when MLB cuts happen.
Do you guys remember that time Kingman doubled down the left field line, then got picked off 2nd base against the Reds?
No.