August 25, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (32) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Just 2 years ago during the offseason prior to 2011, the A’s won a “bidding war” for McCarthy’s services as something of a reclamation project.  They paid a cool $1 million for him.  He was a revelation to say the least.  Many thought he was headed in the direction of Mark Prior, chronic shoulder problems would ultimately derail a once promising career.  But a few mechanical adjustments to help alleviate those issues made a world of difference.  While his tenure with the A’s wasn’t without the aforementioned shoulder problems, they definitely weren’t career threatening in the same vein as his past injuries.  When he was on the mound though, he showed the world just how good he could be.  He posted a very good 3.29 ERA in his two seasons with the A’s over 281.2 innings of work.  His peripherals suggested he really was that good, and it was great to see.

McCarthy’s significance though doesn’t lie just in his presence on the mound, but his interaction with the fans and everyone on Twitter.  He has easily been the most entertaining Athletics player to follow over the last couple years, and while his quips may emanate from the desert now, they’ll continue to be top notch.  His connection with the fans, along with his wife Amanda made them truly part of the Athletics family.

That’s what made it so scary when McCarthy went down after taking that line drive off his head.  No doubt we all would have been horrified no matter who was on the receiving end of that blow, but the fact that it was Brandon made it that much worse.  We all feared for his safety and well being, and all but forgot about the goings on between the lines.  He’s made a great recovery since then, and we are all thrilled to see that.

I had a personal interaction with Brandon and Amanda at my day job.  As I’ve mentioned in the past, I work in a coffee shop in the rich little Marin County town of Mill Valley.  One day, shortly after the incident I was at work just doing my normal stuff when I noticed an extremely tall man walk into the store.  It was Brandon McCarthy, he was there with his wife Amanda.  At that moment we were listening to the A’s play the Detroit Tigers in Detroit on that grueling road trip, and of course the moment they walked in Prince Fielder went deep to give the Tigers a 5-1 lead.  That was awkward to say the least.  Nevertheless, I spoke to them briefly, and asked how Brandon was feeling.  ”Good” he responded.  That was all he said to me, but he didn’t need to say more.  I knew he was filled with joy that I had expressed concern about his injury.  Perhaps he was turned off by the fact that it was the one day I chose to wear a San Diego Padres hat to work (trying to superstition the A’s back into some wins), or maybe I just give off a creepy vibe.  Either way, it was cool to see him out and about after the horror that had taken place before.

I wish Brandon McCarthy nothing but the best, and not just because he’ll now have ample opportunity to shut down the Giants.  He’s a good man, and he deserves nothing but the best.  We’ll always have a place in our baseball hearts for him and Amanda, they’ll always be a part of the A’s family no matter where baseball takes them.

Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy sits in dugout during game two of the 2012 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Even though McCarthy is now a free agent, he still feels like a part of the A’s family.  And he will continue to be part of that family even if he signs elsewhere.  There hasn’t been much in the way of activity on his front from the A’s perspective, and it’s tough to say where they stand at the moment.

The fact though that McCarthy is said to be back to where he was before the injury is amazing news.  Of course there will always be lingering concerns from any potential suitors about his chronic shoulder problems, but the simple fact that the brain injury is officially in the past will ease some nervous minds.

There are so many pitching starved teams around the league that it’s difficult to figure just who might be willing to make that decisive commitment to McCarthy that’ll lure him their way.  It’s been well documented that since he joined the A’s in 2011, and while not completely avoiding his shoulder problems of the past, he did well in demonstrating his ability when they are not interfering with him.

It still won’t seem right if he goes anywhere but Oakland.  While it would fit the pattern of recent history for the A’s to either be outbid, or simply fold their cards, I’m still holding out hope that McCarthy will find his way back to the Coliseum, and not via the 1st base dugout.

August 25, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (32) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

When Brandon McCarthy was signed prior to the 2011 season, essentially as a free agent flyer signing by Billy Beane, nobody expected much from him considering his injury history and the A’s lack of luck with injuries over the last few years.  But McCarthy was impressive in Spring Training, fought his way into the starting rotation, and wowed us with his command and poise.  His recurring shoulder issues had been largely tied to his extreme over the top delivery.  He dropped down to a more 3/4 arm slot, with the hope of putting less stress on his shoulder.  There had been doubts about his future as a pitcher, and while he didn’t avoid the DL in 2011, he did manage to keep the shoulder problems from becoming serious, perhaps requiring a season ending surgery.

Fast forward to Opening Day 2012, the A’s are in Tokyo, Japan to play the Seattle Mariners.  And it’s not Gio Gonzalez, or Trevor Cahill making that first start… both of them had been shipped away.  Brandon McCarthy had ascended from 5th starter barely making the rotation, to starting Opening Day in 1 year’s time.  Certainly some obstacles before him had been removed by those trades, but there was no doubt that McCarthy was deserving of the honor.  McCarthy did miss more time with shoulder issues again, but he continued to prove that he has all the ability to help lead this young pitching staff.  In his 2 years with the Athletics so far, McCarthy has an ERA of 3.29 in 281.2 innings of work.  His BABIP of .295 and .296 indicates that his success is not a symptom of amazing defense or blind luck, he’s become an extremely effective pitcher.

Of course we all recall the frightening injury McCarthy sustained against the Angels in September, and his recovery from that serious injury has been nothing short of remarkable.  With the entire offseason to heal, he should be totally good to go when the 2013 season rolls around.  There’s no telling what psychological hurdles might remain in returning to the mound, but he is of strong mind so there’s no doubt he can overcome those hurdles.

So as Brandon McCarthy enters free agency for a second time, and in much better position than he was 2 years ago.  It is imperative that the A’s do everything in their power to bring him back to Oakland in 2013.  My stance is based on something A’s Director of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said (I’m paraphrasing) when during the Blog Day I was able to attend this year.  He stated that when constructing a pitching staff, namely a starting rotation that you don’t build a 5 man rotation… you build a 162 game rotation.  Sure the A’s won the AL West with a rotation consisting of 5 rookie pitchers, but is that something the A’s should bank on repeating?  Much of the A’s success in 2012 was built upon the leadership of Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon.  And while Colon was later revealed to be doing some naughty things that ended his season, the leadership he provided cannot be ignored.  The A’s had 10 different pitchers make starts during the season, and the quality pitching depth they had was a major factor in the team’s success.

If the A’s are able to bring back McCarthy, it would most likely bump Dan Straily or A.J. Griffin from the 2013 rotation.  But the chances of one of them finding their way back in would be high considering the injury history of McCarthy, and the daily grind that is the MLB season.  It’s tough to say how much the A’s should be willing to commit to McCarthy, but the simple fact is this, he is a critical part of the A’s success now and in the future.  And we all would like to see him back.