As the MLB playoffs carry on and the Cubs continue to amaze and Blue Jays continue to rake, the Yankees and their fans have turned the page to 2017. One of the matters at hand is Brian McCann and the designated hitter spot.
In his ‘State of the Yankees’ press conference last week, Brian Cashman said the Yankees envision a designated hitter/backup catcher role for Brian McCann next year but they are not ruling out the possibility of a trade. Groundbreaking, I know.
Basically, Cashman is saying what he has to say – that Brian McCann, who is set to make $17M each of the next two seasons, has a role on the Yankees. Had Cashman said what everyone is thinking, that Brian McCann has been largely average, lost his job to a rookie, and projects to be an over-paid designated hitter for the next two seasons, then that would destroy any value that McCann may still carry.
If McCann does serve as a DH/backup catcher (actually, backup to the backup catcher) in 2017, I do not think he will be a problem. He has said all the right things about losing his job to Gary Sanchez and has a reputation of being a team-first guy, so I do not foresee any clubhouse issues arising. While he will not be a negative, I also do not see him being much of a positive — by that I mean on the field.
As a catcher, McCann’s offense is above-average. Since 2014 he ranks 8th in OPS among qualifying catchers (just for fun, Francisco Cervelli ranks 5th). But 8th is not bad, especially when you consider he’s 1st in home runs and 2nd in RBIs. But those same numbers as a DH don’t even crack the top 10. Of course the argument people make is that McCann’s production will increase as he gets more DH rest, but to that I say why? Some players don’t handle DH-ing well, especially players that are used to catching every day. It didn’t work with Jorge Posada, and in the games that McCann has DH’d for the Yankees, his numbers are no better than they are when he’s behind the plate.
I guess that is just a long way of saying that McCann is what he is – a good, but not great, lumbering hitter who will pop somewhere around 20 home runs. That’s not a bad thing, but can the Yankees do better? And do they need to do better?
Beltran says (again) he wants to play next season. For some reason I’m terrified #Yankees will resign him if they’re able to trade McCann
— Andrew (@Andrew_Rotondi) October 12, 2016
If Beltran plays next year, and if the Yankees are somehow able to move Brian McCann and his contract, I honestly could see them revisiting Carlos Beltran. Beltran was pretty average with Texas after being traded, but his agent will focus on his 2016 total production, which was great for a 39-year old with shredded knees (.295/.337/.513, 29 HR, 93 RBIs).
Having said all that, I don’t think Beltran is an upgrade over McCann simply because he is strictly a DH at this point. The saving grace for Mac is that, if needed, he can catch and play first base. Beltran will probably struggle to just stand in RF for 9 innings next season.
Yes I’d rather Encarnacion than Beltran too (don’t really want either) https://t.co/wc2xmh1GJZ
— Andrew (@Andrew_Rotondi) October 12, 2016
Edwin Encarnacion has been carrying the Blue Jays so far in the post season, but it’s really no surprise. The numbers I’m about to throw out on will probably alarm you. Since 2012 Edwin’s ranks in MLB are: 2nd in HR (193), 2nd in RBI (550), 5th in SLG (.544), and 6th in OPS (.912). He’s one of the best power hitters in the game today yet nobody outside of the AL East acknowledges it. Maybe because he plays in Canada or maybe because he doesn’t play a position, but I think the postseason exposure he’s getting will earn him a pretty substantial contract despite the fact he’s going to be 34-years old next season.
If the Yankees were closer to winning a pennant then I’d be bullish on Encarnacion. He’s shown no signs of decline so I have to assume his 2017 and ’18 seasons will be somewhere close to his 2012-’16. And even if they’re 80% of his previous five, he will help an AL team dramatically as their DH. But the Yankees, unfortunately, are not close enough to competing to justify adding an aging DH that will consume payroll and further push them away from their goal, which I believe is to dip below the luxury tax threshold before 2019. Plus, I couldn’t handle hearing John Sterling miss-enunciate En-CARNA-cion’s name every day for the next four seasons.
Other similar players to Encarnacion are Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista.
We saw Trumbo provide the Orioles their only offense in the Wild Card game, but unlike Encarnacion, his track record is not great. 2016 was his one monster season and, big surprise, it came in a contract year. He did what Nelson Cruz did and signed a one year deal to play in Baltimore’s bandbox. It was great timing on Trumbo’s part but I’d be very nervous about giving him a long term deal.
Bautista is even older than Encarnacion, and unlike Trumbo, did not have a good season. Joey Bats’ free agency is coming at a terrible time for him, but with the MLB qualifying offer now at a ridiculous $17.2M, will still cash-in.
That brings us back to the question at hand: Who should be the Yankees DH in 2017?
I ruled out Beltran because of his age and lack of flexibility. Encarnacion will likely be too expensive. Trumbo is too risky and Bautista…also too risky. If the Yankees are ok with remaining above the luxury tax then McCann is the safest option. I believe Cashman would like to trade McCann, but only if it reduces payroll. They will not and should not give him away just to have him off the roster. It’s not a sexy answer, but Brian McCann is the best option for the Yankees in 2017.
