Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves Rumors: The Real Cost of Brian McCann

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Apr 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks during a press conference where former player Bernie Williams officially retired from baseball as a Yankee before a game against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees wanted WHAT for Brian McCann? Now, let’s discuss what would be a realistic offer to the Yankees to get back this hometown hero in an Atlanta Braves uniform. Would Yankees accept reality?

Preposterous! Absurd! Have they gone Bronx Bonkers in New York? Yes…yes they have.

GET OFF MY TIMELINE!!! If you’re an avid Tweeter and follow for mostly Atlanta Braves baseball related news, I’m sure you’ve seen the foolishness being re-hashed about the Yankees asking price for beloved catcher Brian McCann.

Yes, it’s true. They wanted either Mike Foltynewicz or Ender Inciarte in the mid-season proposal.

Here are a few interactions that were downright comical. In comes “Dr. Mike”:

Next: So What is 'Fair' Here?

Feb 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) works out at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

‘Fair’… A Term With a Vague Definition

Brian McCann will be 33 years old when Spring camps open up next year.  He hit .256 with the Braves in 2013, but since then his bat has been declining (.232/.232/.242) – partly due to this effective trick that teams are using on him called the “shift”.

With a shift, he hits .253 on balls put in play; .412 with no shift.

His fWAR has been 2.4, 3.0, and 1.3 as a Yankee.  That seems to be exaggerated at Yankee Stadium, given the (very) short right field porch.  SunTrust Park might be a bit better than Turner Field in that respect, but it’s still no Yankee Stadium… nor is there a Fenway regularly on the schedule.

The Braves were said to “value” McCann at $11 million per year.  That’s about right for his 1.3 WAR in 2016.

Unfortunately, his contract calls for $17 million annually, and includes a vesting clause for 2019 at $15 million (we’ll get to that later).  And all of that is for a full-time player – while it is much more likely that he’d be platooned with Tyler Flower on a lefty/righty basis in an effort to extend his days behind the plate.

There’s other catching options available in the market, too.  Fred has reviewed both the free agents and some intriguing trade targets.  Some have long-term upside, some have close to equivalent production projections.  Almost all of them would be cheaper than McCann.

Surely the Yankees realize all of this, too.

Jun 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) reacts after fouling a ball off his right foot in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s My Proposed Real Deal

In short, the chance of a match here seems dim. The sides are most likely too far apart in their respective valuations of McCann.

This would have the net annual payroll impact of McCann reduced to $12 million, which represents a bit of a compromise from the point of view of Atlanta.

In any trade like this where the key acquisition hasn’t proven worthy of the contract, the pieces going back in the deal are likely wild cards that could prove to be Major League worthy, or could die out in the Minors.

Gant, in my opinion, likely has an MLB career whether it be as a back-end starter or middle reliever. Ellis is what Gant was at this time last year.

Both of these guys are part of the back-end surplus that I discussed in a piece 2 weeks ago and likely won’t be missed…that is, unless they turn out to be studs which is always a scare when making trades.

If you look at the piece linked above, the guys I mentioned aren’t set in stone but any of those back-end starter types could be dealt to fill this need.

But would the Braves be inclined to give up anything more than this? No… not likely at all.

Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) circles the bases after hitting a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. It was the 20th of the season for McCann. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The Catch

More from Tomahawk Take

The kicker is that pesky no-trade clause.

If you read about the issue the Braves (and all other teams) might have with those clauses getting in the way of Detroit’s fire sale, then you can start to understand why there are teams that have a general policy of avoiding such entanglements. The Atlanta Braves are one of them.

If McCann insists on have his $15 million Vesting Option guaranteed for 2019 in exchange for waiving his no-trade rights, then that’s a non-starter for Atlanta – even if the Yankees were to agree to everything else.

A $15 million price for a part time catcher is fairly ludicrous.   $12 million (for 2017-18) would be bad enough.

The Braves have been paying well under $4 million for such services over the past several years, and while they might go to the deal proposed above ($12 million) for this particular player, a 3-year commitment would be over the top.

In short, the chance of a match here seems dim. The sides are most likely too far apart in their respective valuations of McCann.

It is possible that the Yankees will wake up and smell the Starbucks brew – after all, they need Brian to go away. But they’d better hurry.

The Braves will not let this need area linger – they will find a catcher a lot sooner than later.

So once more… Say it together…1, 2, 3

Go Braves!

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