Yadier Molina has drawn the most headlines among catchers early in free agency, in part due to the willingness of both him and his agent to go on-record to discuss the veteran’s market. However, James McCann is drawing interest from a similar collection of teams, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link), with the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, Angels and incumbent White Sox among the clubs to express some interest in the free-agent backstop. The Phillies would have interest in the event that J.T. Realmuto signs elsewhere, Heyman adds.
Given that each of these clubs, with the exception of the White Sox and Phillies, has already expressed interest in Molina, it’s not much of a surprise that they’d also at least gauge McCann’s asking price. There’s been speculation about the Yankees moving on from Gary Sanchez for months, while the Mets currently lack a starting-caliber backstop on their roster. The Angels got a big year out of Max Stassi in 2020, but that was obviously a rather limited sample and Stassi’s prior track record is less impressive.
The Cardinals may raise some eyebrows, given their interest in retaining Molina, but it’s only logical that with Molina exploring other options they’d do the same. Should Molina get the two-year deal he’s seeking from another club, the Cards could pivot to McCann or simply remain in-house and turn the keys over to 26-year-old Andrew Knizner.
As for the White Sox, their interest in keeping McCann is well known, but it’s unlikely to result in a deal. The ChiSox signed Yasmani Grandal to a franchise-record four-year, $73MM contract last winter, and with three years remaining on that arrangement there’s simply no room for McCann to get everyday at-bats. McCann spoke earlier this offseason about his free agency, telling NBC Sports Chicago’s Chuck Garfien that he feels he’s earned the opportunity to be a team’s starting catcher. The White Sox can’t offer that with Grandal under contract.
It’s hard to dispute McCann’s feelings after a pair of terrific seasons with the South Siders. While he was non-tendered by the Tigers after a dismal 2018 campaign, McCann has more than bounced back in Chicago; he’s taken his game to new heights. McCann was a bit shy of a league-average bat as Detroit’s primary catcher in 2017, but he’s broken out with a .276/.334/.474 batting line in 587 plate appearances with the White Sox (116 wRC+).
He’s made strides in terms of hard-hit rate and exit velocity, supporting that offensive breakout, and McCann also improved defensively quite a bit this past season. He’s always been adept at controlling runners (career 35.8 percent caught-stealing rate), but McCann prioritized improving his pitch-framing this past offseason, and the results were strong. Statcast reflects that McCann went from one of the worst catchers in the game at framing pitches on the bottom of the zone to one of the game’s best. It’s a small sample, to be sure, but it’d be a reach to suggest that McCann simply lucked his way from getting 44.8 percent of such pitches called all the way up to 61.8 percent.
The Phillies probably aren’t the only club who view McCann as a “Plan B” to Realmuto, but there also figure to be teams that know they cannot afford Realmuto and are thus willing to act more quickly. McCann and his agents will have to determine whether they’re better served taking one of those early offers or holding out until Realmuto is off the market. The latter route could lead to increased interest, but it’s also possible some teams that are willing to act now will have already filled their need at catcher or spent the majority of their offseason budget by that point.
Sometimes framing can be helped (or hurt) by the pitchers you catch. Ask Russell Martin when he caught RA Dickey. He was an excellent framer despite numbers suggesting otherwise.
Although Philly might be disappointed not re-signing Realmuto, McCann would be a nice get for them.
1) Martin rarely caught Dickey
2) Martin has always rated as a strong pitch framer
1) true
2) the numbers didn’t always smile on his framing abilities; he was always renowned for subjective matters like pitch selection and how well he communicated with pitchers
Yep, its no coincidence that Pittsburgh was a pitching reclamation factory when he was around and guys like Happ, Estrada, and Sanchez had so much success in Toronto when they had little elsewhere. It’s a very under-appreciated factor but a catcher who can improve a pitching staff based on the intangibles is incredibly valuable.
Neo…DavidK lied to you. If 20 games catching RA Dickey is “rare” then we have a much different definition. He took a hit in 2015 with regard to pitch framing because of Dickey. Martin’s hands were excellent.
JD, Sanchez was hurt and his 2017-18 is not a reflection on Martin so let’s not use him as an example.
Estrada’s primary catcher in 2015 was Navarro.
Regardless, Martin’s framing wasn’t properly measured. Great framer. His 2016 work behind the plate with the pitchers was a big reason they reached the postseason.
In a few years when electronic strike zone takes over framing will be a thing of the past.
Yep! Look no further than Cleveland Ohio for conformation. A catcher’s ability to handle a pitching staff and call a game is very under appreciated.
DavidK
1) Martin caught Dickey enough in 2015 and I’m sure you didn’t witness it like I did.
2) You proved my point.
Never post with a side of anger. Words worth working with.
It could just be that, due to Covid, McCann had a more regular procession of umpires with generous strike zones calling his games.
It seemed like Angel Hernandez was behind the plate every other day, so I wouldn’t be surprised.
Yeah, framing is some fickle stuff.
For example, in 2019 the Yanks had Sanchez focus on blocking as opposed to framing (he’d previously graded very well as a pitch framer).
There is definitely an inverse relationship between good blocking & good framing. It’s truly the Gold Glove caliber catchers that are actually good at both.
(side note: that’s what the “knee down” stance is intended to do – bridge that gap)
Back to Sanchez.
Although his blocking numbers improved significantly in 2019, his overall defensive value was *lessened*. The number crunching fellas have ascertained that framing > blocking.
But that leads to aesthetic “issues”. Good framing by the virtue of actually being good is really subtle. You’re not *supposed* to notice it. A passed ball – however – will elicit responses from fans like, “I could have caught that!”. I’ve witnessed this up close with some Yankee fans not versed in the nuances of catching.
I’ve had to think about it a lot. As a fella who “pitched” I’ve come around to the belief that I’d rather throw to a guy who’s a good framer but a sketchy blocker rather than the opposite.
Now.
Quantifying that is a whole different matter entirely.
Still waiting on my team to pull the trigger on their first acquisition under the new regime. Needs: Realmuto/McCann, Springer and Bauer. Make it happen sooner rather than later please, Mr. Cohen.
Wait until after the non-tenders come out on Wednesday. The market is going to be flooded and there are going to be dozens of bargains out there.
While the names you mentioned are on the top of the market or somewhat near, I would suspect that there is a lot of talk going on right now and teams waiting to see what else is going to be available.
Patience is a virtue—I’m sure there are plenty of good things that our going into the Mets shopping cart in the near future.
That’s a pretty big ask for any owner. I think he will spend the money, but the question is, does he want to hover around the luxury tax or just blow it away. I believe the penalties in terms of player development, becomes fairly steep, after repeated violations. Someone else out there surely knows what they are.
But after Canos suspension, the Mets have roughly 80 million to play with to stay under the luxury tax. No need to spend over the limit with that much space available….
Having $80M to spend and spending $80M are two different things. For one, those three guys have to want to go to the Mets. Not every player does. Second, while they could get those three guys for that AAV, they won’t have any money to address other holes if they do that. I expect them to land Bauer and JTR, but not Springer. The fit is there, but SP and C are bigger needs.
This year, yes, but I think he comes back on the books next year. Of course the Mets can worry about that next year. Are they really 80 million under? Wow!
kodiak, yes they have that much space
hyrax, i was replying to kodiak!! i realize what you are saying and i wouldnt necessarily blow all of the money this year anyways. This years crop of FA is mediocre to me…Springer is 31 and will want 5 years and Realmuto will be way overpriced and might have 2 or 3 years left as a great catcher. All of the Mets problems cant be fixed in one offseason
Can’t ignore that Cano is back on the books next year. Plus if you spend to the max this year, don’t cry when you can’t add next year. Don’t see the cap going up any time soon.
Agreed. Not sure they even need Springer if they’re adding JTR. The offense was already good. Bauer is definitely a need, and if he stands true to his one year contracts, the Mets wouldn’t be overly committed.
If they get Bauer realmuto and springer. They have like no holes lol. They would only need to get another stater like Walker
Alderson is slow acting when it comes to FA, he always seemed to loathe spending money under the Wilpons. Hopefully it was only due to having Wilpon as his boss but im not sold on Sandy being the guy to lead the Mets into a new direction. Time will tell i guess…
I’d take McCann in a heartbeat. There’s a definite need at catcher.
I actually like your chances to sign McCann, Halos. Especially if the Chisox are your main competitors. Chisox will offer McCann about a third of his market value, and try to get a lot of publicity out of their so-called ‘interest’.
ChiSox wouldn’t be the main competitors. McCann’s market probably won’t develop until either: A) JTR’s camp has told a given team(s) that there’s no chance he signs with them, or B) JTR signs. Then McCann’s market becomes all of the teams who tried for him and missed out. The idea of the Mets going after McCann, Bauer, and Springer, though, then using the money saved from not getting JTR to fill other holes, isn’t bad..
McCann isn’t going back to CHI Sox to be a backup to Grandal again. Especially when there is going to be so much demand for him as the #1 catcher.
I suggest that the Sox attempt to trade Grandal for pitching and try to sign McCann to a three-year deal.
Realsox, now think about it: Why in the world, would a team actually trade talent for Grandal who has a salary of $54M over 3 years- when they can sign McCann for 3 years- for probably $30M over 3 years – and get a better player in McCann? And not give up any talent.
@Dogbone, the Sox could always sign McCann first. With him off the market and Grandal on, Grandal becomes the 2nd best option at C. Even at a more expensive contract, he has some trade value.
Here is Dogbone with another “Dogbone” comment with actually thinking McCann has been this All Star catcher his entire career! McCann had a decent offensive first half of the season in 2019 and went back to being below mediocre in the second half.
Here is BeeVeeTee with another “BeeVeeTee” comment who doesn’t understand that James McCann actually only had one dismal month in July of 2019 before rebounding in August and finishing with a flurry in September, when he finally had some help with the return of injured Wellington Castillo from the IL and improved production from rookie Zack Collins, and no longer had to carry the heavy burden of catching all by himself.
Facts: McCann was never really good until he came to the young White Sox’s team with a decent batting order in 2019. McCann had a stellar first half in 2019 that earned him a spot on the All Star team then his batting average dipped in the second half. McCann has been benefiting batting in that White Sox line up where he saw pitches. The White Sox can replace his bat with Collins’ bat that will cost less than paying McCann over $10 million a year while splitting time with Grandal when other needs to be addressed.
Stop with your “fact” spin machine. Anyone can simply click on the James McCann baseball reference link and decide for themselves. It will show him having respectable offensive numbers as a member of the 2017 Tigers and vastly improved stats with the White Sox the past two seasons.
The White Sox became something of an offensive juggernaut during this past abbreviated season, particularly versus LHP but were middle of the road in 2019 with a predominately young core still finding their way versus MLB pitching. Any commenter could also click on his splits for 2019 and see that a poor July negatively impacted his ‘second half’ stats, something that I explained along with providing underlying reasons for the temporary dip in production.
@Dogbone
Confusing post on your part. You say the Sox always give low-ball offers to major F/A’s, yet you say they overpaid for Grandal.
Which one is it?
FWIW, MLBTR predicted James McCann would sign with PHI for 2/$20M.
It’ll be interesting if he signs before Realmuto.
I rather doubt McCann signs first. If JTR’s market drags into Feb, then sure, but I’d bet McCann’s agent has told him to wait it out so there’s a bidding war among the teams who lost out on JTR.
Catching is pretty scarce and only one team is going to get JTR. If there’s like 5 or 6 teams in the market for a starting catcher, supply and demand would seem be in McCann’s and Molina’s favor once JTR signs.
JTR’s market really shouldn’t drag on until spring training. He’s not going to be seeking some $300M mega deal where his market is going to be financially constrained to just a couple teams. If you want an elite offensive C he’s kind of the only option. To me he seems like he should be one of the first top FA to sign.
fret not Yankee fans- the catching combo will be the same as last year. Our def of insanity GM kicks the tires on everyone, but ultimately rolls in with the same built for May team every year. hence getting to October is a given, so is not getting to November….
IMO. Catchers start to decline quickly once they hit 30. Of course there are exceptions guys like Carlos Ruiz yadier. Russel Martin was a good example
And Yadi
Phillies should just pull the trigger. let other teams run up JT’s price tag, McCann will probably be a better value.
If the Phillies replace JTR with McCann for a lot cheaper, I’d be happy, but I think McCann is going to get a ton too. It’s funny, but I think people’s fear of overpaying JTR is making McCann seem a lot better than he is. McCann seemed to turn things around for the better in 2019, but I still think there’s a huge gap between him and JTR.
i dunno. McCann managed to do it again last year and even was a finalist for the GG. (forget if he won, but point still stands) he also has a bit less mileage given he split time at DH and was working less of a workload as JT. doesnt measure up in most areas, but i think he comes close in enough. i imagine his market will be driven up, but id imagine JT still makes a load more as his market might be driven up as well.
Just type “Gold Glove” it’s not really that hard. And was he working “as JT”? That makes zero sense. Take more time with your comments, they really are illegible.
I mean I understood it completely.
Indians catcher Roberto Pérez was the 2020 AL Gold Glove winner. Ironically, the 2 other finalists were both White Sox catchers, Yasmani Grandal and James McCann who each played enough to qualify and only adds to my argument for the front office to re-sign the latter and have both continue to split time behind the plate in 2021.
It’s crazy that Brian Mccan’s son out of wedlock is already old enough to sign his first FA deal. Where does the time go?
This really had to make me think. Thanks for that.
There are more than a few White Sox fans who would prefer their beloved re-sign James McCann and consider trading Yasmani Grandal. I say, there are plenty of PA’s for both of them on the southside of Chicago at C, DH and 1B.
The White Sox can do a timeshare behind the plate with 32-year old Grandal and 30-year old McCann. Grandal especially has plenty of mileage on his body as the primary starting catcher for the Dodgers, Brewers and White Sox since 2015 after debuting with the Padres back in 2012.. The White Sox need the switch-hitter’s left-handed power and high OBP in a lineup that is susceptible to right-handed pitching and draws too few walks.
Meanwhile, McCann has been a noted asset as the personal catcher for Lucas Giolito who transitioned from another highly touted pitching prospect to the White Sox ace since the former joined the team as a non-tendered FA from the Tigers in December of 2018. The White Sox would be wise to have Grandal continue catching Dallas Keuchel and any other veteran arms they bring in this offseason. McCann could concentrate on lending his expertise to the White Sox bevy of highly touted young power arms that include Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet. The pair could split time with control artist Dane Dunning and still erratic Dylan Cease and Reynaldo Lopez.
It’s not about the AB’s. It’s about value for the money. Both of them are more valuable for their glove than their bat. I’d rather the Sox roll with Collins as the backup and save the money on either McCann or Grandal (not picky on which) to bolster the BP or sweeten the offer to Springer. Neither McCann nor Grandal is great as DH, so why use them there? If the Sox were as rich as the Yankees or Dodgers, fine, but Reinsdorf never has and likely never will spend anything close to them. They’re great catchers, but that doesn’t make it smart to keep both.
Thus far, Yasmani Grandal hasn’t had enough PA’s as a DH in his career to determine his effectiveness in the role. He spent all his time in the NL before joining the White Sox during an abbreviated 2020 season. What we do know is that switch-hitting Grandal has remarkably even splits from either side of the plate but does have more power versus RHP.
Conversely, right-handed hitting James McCann has much better splits facing LHP so a timeshare behind the plate could also factor in to the White Sox decision of splitting their time at catcher. Zack Collins is a left-handed hitter who shares many of the same hitting attributes as Grandal based on his extensive minor league career. He has hit for a low BA with high OBP and SLG numbers but clearly would only be used versus RHP as Grandal’s backup. There is also a huge question mark surrounding Collin’s ability to be a plus defender at the MLB level, something that clearly isn’t an issue with McCann.
Most likely McCann will sign with another team as a starting catcher. The White Sox would still be wise to consider re-signing him and utilize McCann and Grandal in a timeshare behind the plate. Hopefully top prospect Andrew Vaughn will make his debut with the White Sox in a timeshare with Jose Abreu at 1B/DH. That said, the White Sox would still be in a better position to have a Grandal/McCann timeshare behind the plate, especially defensively with one of them also seeing some time at DH/1B ALONG with Abreu and Vaughn getting the bulk of PA’s at 1B/DH.
Your take is far more likely to happen in 2021, with Collins serving as the primary backup to Grandal. The possibility also exists that Collins could be used as a trade chip this offseason if the White Sox decide to sit out or lose the bidding on free agent TOR Trevor Bauer. The second tier of FA starting pitchers available pales in comparison to the young aces who may be available via the trade route this offseason. They include the Rays Blake Snell and the Rockies German Márquez. Both teams might have an interest in Collins as a potential catcher on their 2021 active roster and would undoubtedly also ask for Vaugn as well. Most White Sox fans might be reluctant to part with Vaughn under any circumstances but acquiring a controllable young TOR like Snell or Márquez might be worth it.
I’d be ok parting with Vaughn for Snell, but not for Marquez. I just believe Snell has a higher ceiling. Plus, he has proven himself in the postseason.
Regarding the catchers, I still say it comes down to money. Are the White Sox a better team with Grandal/McCann than they are with one of those and Collins? Undeniably. But Jerry just won’t spend enough for that to happen. I think about it like this: Would I rather have Grandal, McCann, and Brantley on the Sox, or Grandal, Collins, and Springer? Considering that Vaughn will come up and share 1B/DH duties (and that many think Eloy is destined to be a DH long-term), the Sox don’t need to do a big time share at C/DH. I’d contend that the second set of players makes the Sox better overall than the first set.
Aaron, I like your long worded plea for the Sox to keep McCann, it’s just not possible I don’t think. But they can’t lose on McCann and Colome, and come up empty on Springer and Bauer, then try and make do with marginal players like Pederson and Quintana, and claim “we’re going for it”. Winning is not cheap. Whether the Sox are will be clear in a few weeks.
A trade for Blake Snell or German Márquez could very well blossom into a blockbuster one involving left-handed hitting OF candidates in the Rays Kevin Kiermaier or the Rockies Charlie Blackmon who could each fill the White Sox hole in RF and in their batting order. Tampa and Colorado are each reportedly looking to move some of their highest guaranteed contracts this offseason and the White Sox could easily afford to take on those salaries while also “killing two birds with one stone” by filling primary needs this offseason.
The contracts of Snell or Márquez each have surplus value and would require the White Sos to part with some valuable young assets in return. On the flip side, the contracts of Kiermaier and Blackmon have negative value which could provide the White Sox with an asset discount in a blockbuster trade depending on how much of those last two salaries they were willing to assume.
I believe the White Sox will be one of the more active teams this offseason and among the handful of top end buyers in a market that figures to be depressed in the wake of COVID-19. Their 3 primary needs include a veteran SP, an impacting RF and a proven closer. They could be solved exclusively through free agency or via the trade route. I’m guessing they will fill those needs with some combination of both.
I see McCann back with the White Sox. Have money to spend. Wait till Wednesday the baseball world will be shocked. Teams looking to save money and sign players for less. Examples – Bryant, Schwarber, Sanchez.
Hits lefties well
I would love to see him return to Detroit.
@stymeedone
I doubt it. I assume he’s going to want to play for a contender.
So besides the Angels getting a new GM and a few minor league players…all I see or read is how they are “showing interest.” Well duh….they have glaring needs in a lot of spots. I really hope they don’t sit back and watch some of these guys they are “interested in” get taken by other teams. They did that the last few seasons when they were “in” on a few big names. Yeah, Rendon is great and helps, but can he pitch and catch and fill other spots? Hope to see them get some early signings before its another lost season with replacement or less players.
Dude, free agency is young. Only a handful of guys have signed. Relax.
Well, that is what I said the last few years. Then I watched the Dodgers in the playoffs again. So that didn’t work out too well is my point
Wait for the new gm to be on the job a few months maybe
Two comments about framing stats…
1) Umpires are no doubt cognizant of these stats. I just wonder if it ever enters their minds that the given catcher for a game has a reputation for excellent framing stats and that this might affect their strike zone calling.
2) The very existence of framing stats is an argument for electronic strike zones.
Agreed all around….framing…which is basically trying to “steal” strikes has become much more prevalent by catchers in both leagues…..
A couple of thoughts……you used to see it employed on maybe a third to a half of pitches thrown…especially if the pitcher throwing, was having trouble locating or with a particular pitch that day……no more….some catchers frame each and every pitch….and secondly, with the scrutiny of the strike zone and what is called and what is not…..on each and every broadcast these days, that “getting the call” when the pitch is either borderline or framed into the strike zone will do nothing but usher in an electronic strike zone because MLB is still all about offense.
Finally, a comment about McCann who is definitely above average catcher….not elite….but good….he’ll get paid because of his offense moreso than his ability to “frame”…..
I’ve always hated the word framing. Framing is a technique used to steal strikes that doesn’t work.
I’m not sure why a bad technique that is easily mastered in pony league has become synonymous for stealing strikes.
If it is so easy to learn why are there catchers not learning it? It is the difference between having a job and not having a job, a couple million and 10s of millions, etc etc.
I don’t believe you’ve thrown many competitive innings with a comment like that. throwing to a catcher with a strong glove( one that doesn’t allow the pitch to drag the glove out of the zone) is infinitely better than throwing to a weak glove. it’s not so much about pulling pitches back to the zone( which umpires rarely fall for) as it is about the glove staying strong and not moving out of the zone by the pitch. with automatic strike zones the art of catching will be lost. dh can catch cause who cares? pitching and commanding your pitches won’t matter and you just put live armed throwers on the mound and sloppy dh’s behind the plate. no more art to it. I hate the idea of automatic strike zones. it eliminates the game within the game
The entire concept of framing is predicated upon the assumption that every missed call by an ump is a result of the catcher’s talent. Which seems absurd to me.
I have heard from some ex catchers on TV that most umpires call the ball before the catcher catches it in their head. Also if they go to the robot umps it won’t matter. Blocking the ball, and keeping it in front are the main focus, along with a strong accurate arm.
Boy did you guys miss my point. Did you guys catch at all?
Framing is receiving the ball from the pitcher where the ball is caught with the inside of the glove facing the plate. Thus the name FRAMING.
Go look up the technique. It’s a technique that doesn’t work.
Stealing strikes is a very real skill, and no good catcher in the baseball practices this skill with the framing technique. Framing is such a simple technique to learn.
You want to see an example. Watch the scene in The Rookie where Dennis Quaid is trying out for the Rays. That catcher “frames”.
As I stated, Framing is a technique used to steal strikes that doesn’t work.
Whatever you call it, I don’t see how stealing strikes is a measurable skill… how can you tell why the ump made a mistake? Doesn’t that invoke psychic powers? I could be wrong but it just makes no sense to me.
Cosmo, if you go by the premises that balls in the strikezone can currently be measured (pitch FX for example) then you can determine how often catchers get calls off the plate and or how often they don’t get calls over the plate.
Sure pitchers have something to do with it. High Low variations have something to do with it. But the corners of the plate are a constant.
Sign him. We need him. Grandal has plenty of mileage on him. McCann has developed into one of the best at his position. A team with two good catchers is better than one. It is a tough position to play and requires an occasional day off.
McCann a year on will be viewed as one of the busts of this free agent class.
Someone PLEASE buy sanchez for the loose change & stale cheerios under your couch cushions.
Watch the Yankees stick with Sanchez and he hits .270 w/ 35 HRs over 140 this year – lol.
McCann is going to have a lot of suiters, so he will be over valued as most players are in free agency. After Wednesday, there could be one third of the players in the free agent market, only the top tier will be paid top dollar. Between free agency and non tender players, there should be some good bargains this winter. The teams with the best metrics like the Rays will have a field day!
And then Boras and Tony Clark will hold virtual press conferences in their masks to say how shrewd the owners are, and how negatively it impacts the future of the game. Then they will devolve into the conversation of ownership collusion and some categorical decline in salaries with an impending strike.
Like nails on a chalkboard…
James McCann’s brother is a minor Mets partner
White Sox should pursue Yadier Molina if they need to let go of McCann… Impossible to replace the chemistry he had with Giolitto, but Molina can still play and brings leadership
There’s a zero percent chance Yadi is taking a backup role behind Grandal. He wants to start, it’s the entire reason he went to free agency in the first place.
I think if he doesn’t resign with the Cards he will go to the Angels
The Sox have plenty of money. Compare the contracts for the 2021 to the contracts for 2020 and there is$40-$50 million available (Edwin E, Gio G, Steve C, K Herrera all gone; Mazzara and Rodan need to be gone-Mazzara mediocre glove and one hr and Rodan can’t stay healthy) Its time to keep your own guys-McCann and Colome. When other teams want them that is an indicator that the Sox need them. McCann and Grandal can share catching and DH.
Collins never got a chance under the last manager, Maybe the new regime will spend some time developing him into a left handed hitting major league catcher/dh with power. Colome is as good as anyone out there as a closer. Give McCann and Colome the money from cutting Mazzara and Rodan and pencil in Leury as the right fielder (Abreu led the AL in RBI’s the year he had Leury hitting lead off.
Last under no circumstance give anyone especially a pitcher more than Grandal is making. Tying up a whole pile of money in a guy who could be gone on the next pitch is just plain stupid.(ask the Cubs and Red Sox)
They have plenty of money, but also several needs. They need a closer, have a gaping hole in RF, and could definitely use a 3rd starter, preferably a guy with playoff experience, like Snell or Tanaka. Filling those needs is more important than the luxury of having 2 great catchers.
As much as I would like to see the Sox re-sign McCann, I’ve already moved on–I just don’t see it happening. With that, I hope they give Collins a fighting chance to be in the mix in ’21. I don’t want him to simply catch once a week. I’d like him to play 3 to 5 games a week in some form (C/1B/DH). If he’s only getting one game a week, they might as well move on from him. He needs the AB’s to develop as a MLB hitter.
Assuming he’s the backup C next year, the Sox are set offensively except RF. Unless they get a TOR via trade (I’m assuming Bauer won’t sign), I’d go for one SP at a one-year deal (heavy emphasis on one year deal). If by July it’s obvious they need help in the rotation, then make a deadline deal for a TOR. I think somewhere in the mix of Cease, Dunning, Kopech, and Crochet (not to mention Kelley or even Steiver) they should be fine long-term.
I’d be more concerned with signing Giolito long-term while they still can get him at a decent price (if that’s even possible at this point). Signing him now at (AAV) $15MM/yr to $20MM/yr will be a lot better than trying a year or two from now for well over $20MM/yr (probably over $25MM/yr).
Otherwise, upgrade the ‘pen. They have a pretty good core already, but obviously they’ll need a closer. Even with a closer, it’s an eternal need for any team to upgrade their ‘pen. Bummer, Heuer, Lambert, Foster, and Marshall, one or two in the Kopech/Dunning/Crochet mix, and maybe even Lopez–not a bad ‘pen right now.
I really hope they keep Lopez and put him in the ‘pen. I would be very disappointed if they non-tender him tomorrow. It would be different if he would be getting $5MM next year, but at very roughly $1.5M, he’s worth taking a chance.
St. Louis needs to quit blowing smoke and just sign Molina for a year with an substantial option for a second. Some GM’s just really don’t understand the game they are playing.