Prospect Insider - M's eye right-hander

M's eye right-hander

By Jason A. Churchill

By 11-22-2010

Among the many reports coming out across the country late Sunday and early Monday regards the Mariners and their interest in right-hander Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy was once one of my favorite pitching prospects back when he was in the White Sox organization. He's since been dealt for John Danks, and is now a free agent.

There are at least eight teams showing some level of interest in McCarthy, 27, so it's not like the M's can simply throw a minimum-salary contract at him and he's theirs, and there are concerns to think about.

McCarthy never put it together in Texas, or in the minors with the Rangers, but there were flashes of No. 3 stuff. He's not throwing 95 anymore, and his delivery, while probably better than in 2005, still needs some work.

He recently has dealt with a stress fracture in his throwing shoulder, but is putting up solid numbers in the Dominican League this month and one scout has seen him twice.

"He doesn't look too bad," he said. "He's not the guy he was five years ago ... the arm speed is consistent now but the arm action is not and he telepaths his offspeed stuff. He's throwing a lot of fastballs down here, so we're really just going on command, movement and velocity of his 1."

No, McCarthy is not likely to ever become a frontline arm, but he is the type of inexpensive low-risk, medium-reward type pitching options the M's are likely to take a look at this winter.

Others could include Rich Harden, Brad Penny, Jeremy Bonderman and Jeff Francis.

m\'s-eye-right-hander

Comments
The following 14 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: aerichner on 11-22-2010 12:09:25
I'll take it. Always been intrigued by him. Sign him up!

2. By: maqman on 11-22-2010 13:00:09
If they can sign him to a minor league deal why not?

On another subject Jason, Pirates Prospects has a story up on potential targets for them in the Rule 5 draft. As we pick next after them some of their targets could be ours. The article is at: http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/who_should_the_pirates_take_in_the_rule_5_draft/3655041

I'd be interested in your views on the subject.

3. By: Rudolf on 11-22-2010 13:50:54
According to MLBtraderumors.com, Seattle is on Upton's no-trade list. Thank you.

4. By: StandinPat on 11-22-2010 14:01:48
"Seattle is on Upton's no-trade list"

Honestly that's a relief. I like Upton a ton, but not at the expense of two of our top three young guys, and then some.

Jason,

If the M's do snag one of inexpensive reclamation projections, do you think they still add another starter to help pick up some innings?

5. By: FWBrodie on 11-22-2010 14:08:45
WTF is Arizona even trying to do? I mean why would you deal Upton and ask for more big-league ready talent at about the same age? Two steps backward one step forward one step sideways? Doesn't make sense.

At any rate, I hope Stephen Drew is being talked about by Zduriencik. He could be a nice pull while AZ's in the making-moves-just-to-make-them state that they seem to be in.

6. By: StandinPat on 11-22-2010 14:37:25
There has been some speculation that Arizona isn't too high on Upton, whether it's his work-ethic, shoulder, or just complete bs, who knows?

But I think it does make sense on some level. Upton is one player, and while he does have huge upside he alone can only do so much. Arizona has a ton of holes to fill and if Towers gets the haul he's rumored to be seeking, it could make the team much better in 2011.

7. By: baseballfan on 11-22-2010 15:25:05
While I like McCarthy - When too many teams start chasing
the same player, someone usually ends up overpaying and
having buyer's remorse - same goes for Upton

8. By: Rick Randall on 11-22-2010 15:40:41
I agree that Arizona doesn't appear to know what they're doing, but I'm fairly certain that Drew isn't available without a ML ready shortstop coming back in any trade.

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 11-22-2010 15:48:31
baseballfan,

Interested doesn't mean willing to make an offer. What if 14 teams are interest in McCarthy, for example, and only 9 end up willing to make an offer of some sort. Some may only be willing to offer a MiLB deal with an NRI. A few may be willing to guaranteed a 40-man spot. But not all.

There's no chance that overpaying for these types turns into something damning. Overpaying for McCarthy is probably guaranteeing him more than 750k and giving him a 40-man spot.

10. By: Jason A. Churchill on 11-22-2010 15:49:19
Arizona knows what they want to do... and it may not include Upton. But Upton is not coming to Seattle, so... next?

11. By: jgstecker on 11-22-2010 17:34:29
I'll be a little surprised if the team doesn't add two decent SP options. In other words, my bet is that they put something a little more formidable than Luke French and David Pauley between Michael Pineda and a rotation slot out of Spring Training. Brandon McCarthy could be one of those pieces.

12. By: mazono on 11-22-2010 19:16:04
Interesting Tampa Bay supposedly willing to trade an arm in their rotation not name Price. Garza or shields would be nice. MLB network guy guessed that Shields is the most likely.

13. By: unitispat on 11-22-2010 19:45:14
Glad to hear the Upton news. I also like the McCarthy move, low risk. Also is their any news regarding Willy Mo Pena? Is he still in baseball? He would be interesting as a low risk possibly high reward.

14. By: safecochatter on 11-22-2010 21:44:35
Beau Mills has fallen from grace with Cleveland. and has been exposed to to the rule 5 draft. any interest in Mariner land? he does have lefty pop..

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