Newly promoted catching prospect Gary Sanchez hopes to learn every part of the job from veteran Brian McCann, but the 32-year-old may not be around to teach his student the entire course.
While baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline has passed, the month of August has its own way of working out deals, meaning that the Yankees’ rebuild doesn’t have to come to an end just yet. All players must clear waivers in order for a team to make a trade, which makes McCann an interesting nominee.
In a recent story from MLB.com columnist Paul Hagen on potential waiver candidates, McCann’s name appears on the list, and Hagen believes that a homecoming party could take place with the Atlanta Braves. But the deal has one caveat: the Yankees would need to eat some cash:
Before the non-waiver Deadline, the Braves were reportedly interested in bringing back a receiver who made seven All-Star teams with them before leaving as a free agent. McCann would have to waive his full no-trade clause and the teams would have to negotiate how much of his contract the Yankees would pay, but he’d be a recognizable face for fans to root for when the Braves move into their new park next season. McCann will make a total of $34 million over the next two seasons and has a $15 million vesting option for ’19, but with the Yanks in full rebuild mode now, a deal doesn’t seem so crazy.
Prior to the deadline, the two teams didn’t come close to making a deal, due to New York’s unwillingness to eat money on McCann’s contract, an option that the Yankees have publicly admitted not to be fond of. But the opportunity to make Sanchez the permanent fix behind home plate has arrived, and much like New York’s summer moves, an unorthodox style of business has shown favorable outcomes.
In 85 games this season, McCann has hit only .236, with 15 home runs and 42 runs batted in.
