Brandon McCarthy

[JohnBriggs12]

Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News speculates that the Rangers might make Brandon McCarthy available to fill a need for a right handed bat or a reliever.

 

I think the Brewers could match up if they are willing to part with Hart. They might be able to match up with a reliever also assuming they can bring Vargas back.. McCarthy missed 3 months with a stress fracture in his shoulder blade, but pitched pretty well after he returned in August. After a series of injuries, I think McCarthy is poised for a breakout year and he's still only 26.

 

Of course if the Brewers were to part with Hart, they'd need to find a RF. That's where Marlon Byrd would come in handy. Not only can Byrd play RF, but if Gomez falls flat, Byrd can slide over to CF.

[nate82]

I would rather sign Nady over Byrd. Byrd is going to cost a lot more compared to Nady. Plus the Brewers have Gerut who can slide over to CF if Gomez is not producing. I wouldn't mind trading Hart for McCarthy as I believe Hart maybe non tendered by the Brewers if they can not find a trade.

[yoshii8]

I liked McCarthy when he first came up w/ the Sox, but he has had a lot of injury problems w/ the Rangers. I wouldn't give up Hart for him.

 

I don't see any way that Hart is non-tendered, I'm not sure why you keep saying that might happen.

[bklynbrewcrew]

I would make that trade and I agree with Nate about the possibility of Hart being non tendered.

[thebruce44]

There is a RF available for very cheap from the North Side of Chicago...just saying.

[madrx]

There is an article on the Texas mlb.com site saying that the Rangers are likely to trade pitching for a right-handed bat as well. Their starting infield is likely set, but the writer discusses their need for a right-handed DH/ utility man. I wonder if McGehee would interest them. I wouldn't trade him for McCarthy, but maybe for one of their other more promising young starters. I don't know enough about their system to know if they have any arms at AAA worth considering as well.

[JohnBriggs12]

There is an article on the Texas mlb.com site saying that the Rangers are likely to trade pitching for a right-handed bat as well. Their starting infield is likely set, but the writer discusses their need for a right-handed DH/ utility man. I wonder if McGehee would interest them. I wouldn't trade him for McCarthy, but maybe for one of their other more promising young starters. I don't know enough about their system to know if they have any arms at AAA worth considering as well.

But according to the Texas beat writer, it's McCarthy that's the one they are willing to part with.

 

Don't underestimate McCarthy. Even with a plethora of young pitching, when McCarthy came back, he was inserted right back into their rotation with Texas still in the race and he went 2-2 in 6 starts with a solid 1.20 WHIP. McCarthy is younger than Manny Parra and except for rehab stints, he's been in the big leagues since he was 21. He's got an upside that hasn't been completely tapped.

[Hotdog]

I would take McCarthy for Hart anytime. Saves payroll plus you get McCarthy on the rise. If he flames out, no big coin spent.

[Kelbysdaddy]

There is a RF available for very cheap from the North Side of Chicago...just saying.

reed johnson?

[dadofandrew]

Hart is a speed/power combo who is taken for granted in MIL because he's no Prince or Ryan. Corey compares well to Mike Cuddyer, who the Twins just picked up a $11M option on, and Hart is a far better defender and baserunner. No chance he's non-tendered, though I suppose it is within the realm of possibility for next year, when he'll probably get $7-8M from the process.

 

As for McCarthy, I'm underwhelmed. He's never thrown much over 100 innings, and he's going to be 26. He's worse on the road, so Texas hasn't affected his numbers. Hart should be worth at least a solid #4 SP, hopefully with the potential of being a #3. Brandon looks like a #5 SP who might have a very good career in the bullpen, maybe with a #4 ceiling.

 

If he throws 93, I might be convinced, but his K numbers don't indicate that.