Diamondbacks Reportedly Agree to Deal with RHP Brandon McCarthy

The Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly inked 29-year-old free-agent pitcher Brandon McCarthy, according to John Gambadoro of Sports 620 AM KTAR in Phoenix (via Twitter):

"

Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal with 29-year old free agent right handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy pending a physical

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) December 7, 2012"

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman followed up that report, confirming it, and then provided some details about the deal (via Twitter):

"

McCarthy gets 2-yr deal w very active dbacks

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2012"

Nick Piecoro, a Diamondbacks beat writer for AZCentral Sports, chimed in next with the financial details (via Twitter):

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OK, it's two years and $15.5M for McCarthy. Pending physical. Gives the Dbacks a ton of starting pitching depth.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 7, 2012"

The phrase “the rich get richer” certainly applies to the Diamondbacks after acquiring someone of McCarthy’s talent to supplement their starting-pitching rotation.

McCarthy posted a 3.29 ERA in two seasons in the Oakland Athletics' rotation and is, barring injury, ready to settle into the prime of his career. In 2012 alone, he went 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 111 innings of work.

The A’s Opening Day starter didn’t get a chance to finish his season, though.

On Sept. 5, a line drive hit by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar hit his head and put him into a “life threatening” situation, according to an AP report following the incident. As a result, McCarthy suffered an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and a skull fracture and was hospitalized (via ESPN).

McCarthy was medically cleared to resume a normal offseason and participate in drills on Nov. 15, less than three months after the ensuing brain surgery, according to ESPN.com. He seemed upbeat about the offseason and getting back into the swing of things after the announcement.

"It worked out well I recovered in the time I did," McCarthy said. "This shouldn't be something lingers into the offseason."

For his career, McCarthy is a modest 37-39 with a 447-to-191 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s posted a 4.02 ERA and made 99 starts during his seven years in the majors.