Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann is going to be a hot commodity on the free agent market this winter, and the New York Yankees are thought to be potential players, per ESPN.com.
MLB free agent rumors: Yankees could sign Brian Mcann
New York desperately needs a catcher and might set its sights on the Braves’ slugger.
USA TODAY Sports
While the Yankees have been saying throughout the year that they would like to stay under the $189 million luxury tax threshold, New York might have some money to play with should the Alex Rodriguez suspension be upheld.
If A-Rod is gone for the year, the Yankees would save $27.5 million against the luxury tax and be able to shore up some other nagging issues -- that could leave room for both McCann as well as free agent second baseman Robinson Cano.
McCann is by far the best catcher on the market and is likely to command a hefty salary. In 2013, McCann played in 102 regular season games and hit 20 home runs with a .256 average and a .336 on-base percentage.
McCann is almost a lock to hit 20-plus homers if he went to New York, considering he has at least 20 bombs in each campaign since 2007 with the much larger Turner Field his home park.
This year, no team had worse production at the catcher spot than the Yankees. Between Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine, Chris Stewart and J.R. Murphy, New York got a .213 average with eight homers and 43 RBI.
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