Arizona Diamondbacks Sign Pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a 2-Year Deal

Another day means another player has been signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The latest move by Arizona was signing 29-year-old right-handed starter Brandon McCarthy to a two-year, $15.5 million contract, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

The former White Sox and Rangers pitcher found a home and a fresh start to his career in 2011 with the Oakland Athletics. He was the Opening Day starter for the A's in 2012 and finished with an 8-6 record with a 3.24 ERA.

Of course he also had one of the scariest injuries of the 2012 season. As reported by Bill Shaikin for the Los Angeles Times, McCarthy had his skull fractured after a line drive by Los Angeles Angels infielder Erick Aybar struck him on the head.

Along with the fracture, he had an epidural hemorrhage and a brain contusion, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com)

Now he has recovered and will join his former Oakland teammate Trevor Cahill in Arizona. McCarthy will be the the fourth starter behind Cahill, Wade Miley and Ian Kennedy.

McCarthy helps give the Diamondbacks terrific depth in the starting rotation. And perhaps the signing will set up a blockbuster deal.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports believes that the signing of McCarthy and the recovery of pitcher Daniel Hudson from Tommy John surgery could put the Diamondbacks in a position where they can trade starting pitching.

Top prospects Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs or Patrick Corbin could be included in a deal with Justin Upton in a potential blockbuster move.

Yet, there could be holes in a blockbuster deal; perhaps the signing of McCarthy to the deep pitching staff could be the final push to trigger a big trade.