Coming into the offseason, the Yankees were hoping to make a splash. They hope this is the first of many.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Yankees and catcher Brian McCann have agreed to a five year deal worth $85 million, with a vesting option for a sixth year that would push the value to $100 million. McCann will also have a full no-trade clause.
McCann, 29, was one of the biggest names in this year’s free agent class. He will immediately take over the starting catcher role, which was one of the weakest spots on the roster last season. However, with the signing comes the risk of injury, as McCann has logged a lot of innings behind the plate in his nine year career. It was reported last week that he would be willing to play a little first base and DH, which should keep him fresh.
McCann was drafted in the second round of the 2002 amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves, the only team he’s ever played for. The left-handed hitting seven-time all-star hit .256 with 20 homers and 57 RBI in just 102 games in 2013. For his career, McCann has a slash line of .277/.350/.473 with 176 homers and 661 RBI. His power numbers will no doubt go up in 2014, thanks in part to the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees will forfeit their first round pick, but that was a formality considering they were most likely going to sign a high-profile free agent this winter. The deal won’t become official until McCann passes a physical.
Source: McCann deal with #Yankees is 5/85 with sixth-year vesting option that could bring it to 6/100.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2013
