Brandon McCarthy reaches agreement with the Diamondbacks

McCarthy adds to an already deep rotation for Arizona

Brandon McCarthy, the right-handed pitcher who was hit in the head with a line drive against the Los Angeles Angelss on September 5 and underwent surgery to treat a fractured skull, has signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reported that McCarthy will receive a $2.5 million signing bonus, $4 million in 2013 and $9 million in 2014.

The 29-year-old McCarthy, whose 2012 campaign was also interrupted by a shoulder injury, posted an 8-6 record with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 18 starts and 111 innings for the American League West champion Oakland A’s.

McCarthy joins a formidable Diamondbacks rotation that also includes Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill and Wade Miley. Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin – who compose three of the top starting pitching prospects in baseball – are candidates for the No. 5 spot in the rotation along with Daniel Hudson.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Arizona is attempting to acquire Tampa Bay Rays right-hander James Shields as part of a three-way or four-way trade.

If this happens, Olney suggests that Bauer or Skaggs could be part of the deal, albeit not to the Rays, which are looking to upgrade their lineup and not their rotation.