Should the Houston Astros trade for Brian McCann?
Sep 25, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) pins up the batting lineup before the Astros play the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
As the playoffs continue and the center field section at Minute Maid Parks gets a makeover, the Houston Astros are watching from home. Some fans will miss Tal’s Hill in center field, and others are okay with the Astros not being ready for the playoffs in 2016. How will fans feel if one of their most tenured players is no longer on our team anymore?
Of course, I am speaking of catcher Jason Castro. While he has not been consistent in the big leagues recently, considering that he was drafted in the first round, he has played well enough. As he enters his first offseason as a free-agent, the Astros have to decide whether to bring him back.
At the beginning of the 2016 season, it was pretty much a guarantee that Jeff Luhnow was bringing Castro back. They traded Hank Conger in the offseason, so they were counting on Evan Gattis to be maybe able to catch a game a week. Following an injury to start the season, Gattis returned as designated hitter, before going back to Double-A to focus on catching.
Focus on catching he did, Gattis came back and became more than just a once a week guy. He showed that he was able to be the everyday guy for the Astros. He tended to hit better as a catcher than he did as a designated hitter. With Yulieski Gurriel in the fold, the designated hitter slot may be needed to get all the players in.
Enter Brian McCann
Jul 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) celebrates with third base coach Joe Espada (53) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Before the trade deadline, when the Yankees were having a mini fire sale, I wrote about possibly trading for Brian McCann. I remember it not being well received by CTH readers. Whether it was McCann himself or the haul it would have required to trade for him, would he make sense now?
McCann lost some playing time this past season. It was because the Yankees called up this rookie Gary Sanchez who showed potential for one of the best catchers in the game. What type of player would have the Yankees not consider bringing McCann back? Try batting .299/ 20 homers/ 42 runs batted in this 54 games this year. That type of offensive production would unseat most catchers.
There is a slight problem for the Yankees. McCann is under contract through 2018 guaranteed with a vesting option for 2019. Sanchez is the complete package as a catcher, with great offense and defense. McCann will likely not want to become a full-time designated hitter or lose playing time to hurt his vesting option.
The Pros.
Oct 1, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) and catcher Brian McCann (34) celebrate the win against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
If the Astros can’t re-sign Castro or Luis Valbuena, they are missing a left-handed power bat. Colby Rasmus is unlikely to return, and A.J. Reed has not shown much in the big leagues yet. I could mention Jon Singleton, but he is approaching his big payday pretty soon, so the team will most likely cut ties soon. McCann could be that left-handed power bat that the Astros could bat fifth or sixth.
McCann would be around for another two seasons guaranteed, while Gattis is under team control through 2018 as well. The catching prospect that is closest to being major league ready is Garrett Stubbs. He could ready late 2017, but 2018 is the better target for Stubbs. The team also drafted Jake Rodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Rodgers could be ready in the late 2019 season if not earlier.
By trading for McCann, you would give the young guys a chance to develop in the minors. The Astros may have rushed Max Stassi who has not lived up to his potential thus far. People say the team lacks a real leader in the clubhouse. Mccann has served in that role with the Braves before. Speaking of the Braves, Gattis and McCann were teammates before.
Unless Reed steps up, the Astros have a hole at first base. McCann can split time with either Reed or Tyler White at first base.
The Cons.
Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. It was the 20th home run of the season for McCann. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
McCann is not the player he used to be. Some would argue that he is not worth the guaranteed $34 million over the next two years plus the $15 million vesting option for 2019. The team could probably bring back Castro for much less than that financial commitment. McCann at this point of his career averages around .240 with 20 homers and 70 plus RBI’s. That is pretty much what you could get from Gattis as a catcher.
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The biggest con is probably the haul that it would take to acquire McCann. The Yankees got better after trading Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Carlos Beltran. With the talent they acquired last year in the three trades, the Yankees are going to look to get greedy if they decide to trade McCann.
The offseason market was supposed to be headlined by Wilson Ramos, but a late season injury has brought down his market. This could increase the market for Castro to sign elsewhere. This will also up the demand for McCann on the trade market. Is McCann really that much of an upgrade over Castro?
Buster Olney wrote the other day that the Astros, Nationals, and Angels have the money and need to make a deal. While some Astros fans think that the team should pursue McCann to block the division rival Angels from getting him, that can’t be the primary reason.
Should the Astros trade for him, they should be ready to fork over a big package including Reed and more. They should also do it to fit a need on the team and not to block another team. If the Astros eat most of the contract, they will have to give up less talent in return. It will still cost a lot to bring McCann to H-Town. Would it be worth it?
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***
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