T.J. McFarland – Athletics Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

T.J. McFarland, whose full name is Timothy John McFarland, was born on June 8, 1989, in Palos Park, Illinois. He’s made a name for himself as a left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Around the clubhouse, teammates call him “Mac Attack.” He’s moved around quite a bit, but his adaptability and grit have kept him in the big leagues since he broke in back in 2013.

T.J. McFarland now pitches for the Oakland Athletics on a one-year, $1.8 million contract he signed on November 7, 2024. The A’s decided to bring him back after seeing what he could do for their bullpen. This deal bumps up his career earnings and has helped him reach a net worth of about $8 million.

McFarland’s path through pro baseball has taken him through several organizations since the Cleveland Indians drafted him in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Teams have valued his knack for getting ground balls and eating innings in middle relief. The A’s clearly saw his worth and invested $1.8 million in him for the coming season.

Early Life and Background

Timothy John McFarland grew up in Palos Park, Illinois, where he was born on June 8, 1989. Those early years set the stage for his eventual success in Major League Baseball.

Family and Education

He spent his childhood in the Chicago suburbs, surrounded by a supportive family that encouraged his athletic pursuits. Not much is out there about his parents, but their influence seems pretty obvious when you look at his work ethic and drive. That hometown of Palos Park, Illinois gave him a good foundation.

McFarland attended Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois, and started to stand out as a baseball prospect. He juggled schoolwork with his growing love for the game during his high school years. That discipline definitely paid off down the road.

Like a lot of athletes, he focused more and more on baseball as his skills developed. School was important, but the diamond started to take center stage.

Amateur Baseball Career

At Stagg High, McFarland’s pitching caught people’s attention right away. As a lefty, he had a natural edge, and scouts and coaches noticed. His high school stats put him among the top pitching prospects in Illinois.

He worked on his pitching style during these years, honing the techniques that would shape his pro game. Coaches and local reporters recognized him as a standout amateur player.

He got a lot of experience in summer leagues and high school tournaments, facing all kinds of hitters. These games helped him get ready for the next level.

Path to Professional Baseball

Scouts kept a close eye on McFarland, and in 2007, the Cleveland Indians drafted him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft. That moment kicked off his professional journey.

Instead of playing college ball, McFarland jumped straight into the pros. That choice showed he was ready for the challenge—and that scouts really believed in him.

He signed with the Indians and started his climb through the minor leagues right away. He spent several years developing his game in the minors, working his way up and building the skills and toughness he’d need for a major league career. That time in the minors was critical for his growth into a professional pitcher.

Professional Baseball Career

Since 2013, T.J. McFarland has made his living as a left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He’s played for several teams, steadily earning a reputation as a dependable bullpen arm with a ground ball-heavy approach.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

McFarland’s pro career began when the Cleveland Indians drafted him right out of high school in 2007. But he actually made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles, who picked him up in the Rule 5 Draft.

He made his MLB debut on April 6, 2013, pitching for the Orioles against the Minnesota Twins. Those first three seasons in Baltimore (2013-2015) helped him build a reputation as a guy who could keep the ball on the ground and handle multiple innings out of the pen.

While with the Orioles, McFarland really leaned into his sinker, which became his go-to pitch. Over his first three MLB seasons, he posted a 4.27 ERA in 90 appearances. He showed he could be a flexible piece in the bullpen.

Key Career Highlights

Throughout his career, McFarland has proven he can handle the demands of a relief role. Teams have valued his ability to get ground balls at a high rate.

One standout stretch came in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 2.56 ERA in 38 games, which really helped cement his status as a reliable middle reliever.

He also contributed to the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen between 2018 and 2020. Over 115 games, he maintained his reputation as a ground ball specialist.

McFarland has managed to stick around in the majors longer than a lot of relievers, which says something about his consistency and adaptability.

Teams Played For

McFarland has suited up for quite a few MLB teams, and he’s managed to adapt to each new situation:

• Baltimore Orioles (2013-2016): Got his start and refined his pitching style
• Arizona Diamondbacks (2018-2020): Became a key piece in the bullpen
• St. Louis Cardinals (2021-2022): Put together one of his best seasons in 2021
• New York Mets (2022): Short stint as a midseason pickup
• Oakland Athletics (2023-Present): His current club

In November 2024, McFarland re-signed with the Athletics on a one-year, $1.8 million contract. The A’s clearly have faith in what he brings to the table.

Career Statistics

By May 2025, McFarland’s career had stretched over a decade in the big leagues. His numbers show what he’s all about as a ground ball pitcher and middle reliever.

Career Pitching Stats:

• ERA: Around 4.10
• Games: 350+ appearances
• Innings Pitched: Over 500
• Ground Ball Rate: Consistently above 60% (which is pretty elite)
• Strikeouts: About 6 per 9 innings

He’s earned a solid chunk of money over his career. His latest contract with the A’s pays $1.8 million for one year, adding to career earnings of over $8 million.

McFarland has stuck to his strengths—he focuses on getting weak contact instead of chasing strikeouts. That’s probably helped him stay relevant in the league for so long.

Contract History

T.J. McFarland’s pro baseball journey has featured a handful of contract changes, from rookie deals to bigger paydays as he became a trusted lefty in the pen.

Rookie Contracts

The Cleveland Indians drafted McFarland in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft, so he started out on minor league contracts with modest pay like most prospects.

Things changed when the Baltimore Orioles picked him in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2012. That meant the Orioles had to keep him on their big-league roster for the whole 2013 season or send him back to Cleveland.

He made the Orioles’ roster and earned the league minimum during his rookie year. That first major league contract got his MLB career rolling.

Major League Agreement Details

After proving himself in Baltimore, McFarland started getting raises through arbitration. He spent four seasons with the Orioles before heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In Arizona, McFarland signed a one-year, $850,000 deal in December 2017. He had a big year in 2018, posting his best ERA yet, which set him up for better pay.

After some solid seasons in Arizona, he later pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and then the Oakland Athletics. With Oakland, he landed a one-year, $1,800,000 contract—his highest annual salary so far.

Recent Negotiations and Updates

In January 2024, McFarland signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and got an invite to spring training. These deals usually pay more if you make the major league roster.

Over the years, McFarland has built a net worth of about $8,092,823. That’s the result of over a decade in pro baseball.

His contract path looks pretty typical for a middle reliever—start small, get bumps through arbitration, hit a peak, and then take incentive-heavy deals later on. That’s just how it goes for bullpen specialists.

Net Worth and Earnings

T.J. McFarland has done well for himself financially, thanks to smart contracts and steady progress through the league.

Salary Progression

McFarland’s earnings chart his journey in the majors. Right now, he’s making $1,800,000 with the Oakland Athletics for the 2025 season. That’s a big jump from his earlier contract of $720,000 reported on some sites.

His salary has gone up and down, depending on his performance and how teams valued him.

Before joining the A’s, he spent time with several teams—including the Dodgers, where he signed a minor league deal and went to spring training in January 2024.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Not much info is out there about McFarland’s endorsements. Most MLB players at his level usually have deals with equipment brands.

He probably has some arrangement with a glove company, maybe a footwear brand too. These deals add a little extra to his MLB salary.

Middle relievers don’t usually snag the big endorsement deals you see with superstar players, but a few solid partnerships can still add up.

Major Earnings Milestones

McFarland’s estimated net worth sits at about $8,092,823, which reflects his career earnings from baseball.

His biggest payday came with his current deal from the Athletics—$1.8 million for one year, all guaranteed.

His financial story shows that even bullpen specialists can build real wealth if they stick around and deliver. He’s never been the guy with a headline-grabbing contract, but consistency has paid off.

Personal Life and Legacy

Off the field, T.J. McFarland values family and community, and he’s made his mark in baseball with a resilient career and a pitching style that’s all his own.

Family and Relationships

Timothy John McFarland, born June 8, 1989, in Palos Park, Illinois, keeps his personal life pretty private, even though he’s spent years in the public eye.

People sometimes call him “Mac Attack,” but he rarely shares details about his immediate family.

His support system has always stood by him, especially when he bounced between different MLB teams.

That stability off the field? It’s helped him deal with the ups and downs of pro baseball.

Growing up in the Midwest shaped his work ethic and attitude—traits that teammates have come to respect in every clubhouse since his MLB debut.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

McFarland gives back, even if he doesn’t make a big show of it.

While he played for the Baltimore Orioles, he joined team community events and visited hospitals.

He often focuses his charitable work on youth baseball, trying to make the game more accessible for kids who might not get the chance otherwise.

Honestly, he just gets how important sports can be for young people.

He doesn’t brag about his community work, but teammates have noticed his steady involvement in community initiatives.

His approach to giving back? It’s a lot like the way he plays—steady, reliable, and more about the basics than chasing attention.

Impact on Baseball

McFarland has carved out a niche as a dependable left-handed reliever, even though today’s league seems obsessed with hard-throwing specialists. He leans on a ground-ball inducing style—a bit of a throwback—and that’s probably what’s kept him around for so long.

His career really shows what persistence can do in pro sports. Cleveland picked him in the fourth round of the 2007 draft, but he’s bounced through a bunch of teams: Baltimore, Arizona, St. Louis, and now he’s with the Oakland Athletics.

When he signed that one-year, $1.8 million contract in November 2024, it proved MLB bullpens still see his value. If you’re a young player, you could do worse than look at his example of adaptability and resilience.