Free agent catcher Brian McCann has a new home: the Bronx. The New York Yankees have reportedly agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract with the 29-year old former Braves backstop. The contract also contains a full no-trade clause and has a vesting option for a sixth year that could push the total value over $100 million.
McCann was considered one of the prizes of this winter's free agent market, and the Yankees were one of the teams most closely tied to him throughout his brief period of free agency. New York struggled with offense behind the plate in 2013, giving the lion's share of playing time to Chris Stewart, a defensive specialist who hit a paltry .211/.293/.272 in 2013. McCann easily topped that line, hitting .256/.336/.461 with 20 homers, his seventh career 20 homer season.
The left-handed hitting McCann should thrive at Yankee Stadium with its short porch in right field, something that numerous left-handers have exploited throughout the years. 17 of McCann's 20 homers last year were pulled, and 140 of his 178 career bombs went to right field as well. In short, it's a solid match for him going forward.
An AL team seemed like it would be the best option for McCann this winter, due to the presence of the DH and the ability to shift McCann there to give him days off behind the plate. McCann has been relatively healthy over his career, but two of his three sub-500 plate appearance seasons have come in the last two years thanks to issues with a frayed labrum in his right shoulder.
The $17 million average annual value of McCann's contract is third-highest all-time among catchers, behind just the mammoth contract extensions signed by Joe Mauer in Minnesota and Buster Posey in San Francisco. The $85 million is the fourth-highest guaranteed contract given to a catcher, behind Mauer, Posey, and Mike Piazza with the Mets.all of which were extensions. McCann's contract is the largest ever given to a free agent catcher, both in total value and yearly salary.
Where do the Braves go from here? Well, McCann's departure seemed inevitable. Atlanta will receive a compensation pick in the sandwich round of June's MLB Draft, and the Yankees will lose their first round pick due to the signing. The Braves will likely roll with Evan Gattis and veteran Gerald Laird behind the plate for the 2014 season, though defense-first prospect Christian Bethancourt could make a push for playing time in the majors with a strong spring.
