This is what we’re reduced to as we wait for Tanaka to sign someplace. And for A-Rod to be suspended or not. And for all of the other pieces waiting on those two pieces fall into place:
All I know about Tanaka is the Angels are likely in on him. Not likely to get him. In on Garza, more likely but no sure thing. Ask away…
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) January 7, 2014
No word if the Angels plan to have pitchers next year. They’re leaning that way, but don’t try to pin them down.
Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reports that the Diamondbacks and reliever T.J. McFarland have avoided arbitration, agreeing on a $1.45 million salary for the 2019 season. McFarland, in his third of four years of arbitration eligibility, filed for $1.675 million while the Diamondbacks countered at $1.275 million. McFarland ended up settling for just under the midpoint of those two figures.
McFarland, 29, was terrific out of the bullpen for the D-Backs last season, finishing with a 2.00 ERA and a 42/22 K/BB ratio in 72 innings. While the lefty may not miss a lot of bats, he does induce quite a few grounders. His 67.9 percent ground ball rate last season was the third highest among relievers with at least 50 innings, trailing only Brad Ziegler (71.1%) and Scott Alexander (70.6%).
McFarland was dominant against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .388 OPS last season, but the D-Backs deployed him nearly twice as often against right-handed hitters, who posted an aggregate .764 OPS against him. It will be interesting to see if the club decides to use him more as a platoon reliever in 2019.
