Fresh Fur Part 2: SP Matt McCartney (Hoppy Endings, pre Preseason Sim 3) [PP:2057.06]

[neugey]

It took a few rounds of negotiations, but Edmonton was able to sign another budget free agent in SP Matt McCartney to a 1-year $1.07m deal. This moved surprised some onlookers who had thought Edmonton was pretty set with their staff. Yet the Jackrabbits decided another veteran was in order.

The signing of McCartney likely means the writing is on the wall for fellow lefty Gary Owens. He had some nice years with Edmonton, including his rookie year in 2051 when he made the All-Star team and also 2054 where he went 12-10 with a 3.86 ERA. But the last few years have seen his ERA and effectiveness decline sharply, culminating in a 2-11 win-loss record in 2056.

Thus sources indicate McCartney is the stopgap for Owens, who could soon be waived or released. The 34-year-old McCartney is no stranger to BBA rotations, having recorded 254 career starts with a net 4.52 ERA. His most effective days came earlier in his career with Sacramento, while his more recent appearances with Rockville, Jacksonville and Portland have been less successful.

Perhaps the Jackrabbits hope that playing in his native Canada will excite McCartney and get him pitching well. Born in Chilliwack, British Columbia, he was initially an international free agent discovered by Montreal who traded him to Sacramento early in his career. The lefty still has a very solid curveball and is very effective at holding runners, which may be another reason for his signing as Edmonton’s catchers aren’t known as defensive experts.

This doesn’t seem like a signing that will move the needle for Edmonton, but if the Jackrabbits are to return to form and put a miserable 2056 behind them, they’ll need McCartney and some other pitchers to step up.