The D-Backs announced they’ve re-signed veteran catcher James McCann to a one-year deal. It’s reportedly a $2.75MM guarantee with another $500K in bonuses for the Ballengee Group client. McCann would receive $100K for reaching 50 days on the active roster, $125K apiece at 75 and 100 days, and another $150K for reaching 125 days. The Snakes opened a 40-man roster spot by non-tendering reliever Taylor Rashi this evening.
McCann commands a big league deal after settling for a minor league contract last time around. The former All-Star signed a non-roster deal with the Braves and spent the first couple months of the season with their top affiliate in Gwinnett. McCann’s deal included an automatic out if any team were willing to add him to the big league roster. That opportunity arose when Gabriel Moreno broke his right index finger in the middle of June.
The Snakes initially signed McCann to back up Jose Herrera while Moreno was on the shelf. It didn’t take long for him to surpass the light-hitting Herrera on the depth chart. McCann recorded nine hits (including a pair of home runs) and six walks over his first nine games with the Diamondbacks. His production tanked from there, as he hit .232/.267/.364 over his final 106 trips to the plate. The early hot streak was still enough to finish with a respectable .260/.324/.431 batting line in 42 games.
Moreno returned in August. The Diamondbacks jettisoned Herrera instead of McCann, keeping the veteran as Moreno’s backup for the final five weeks. He’ll get a chance to reprise that role for a full season. Adrian Del Castillo had been the only other listed catcher on the 40-man roster. He’s more of an emergency/third option rather than a true backup, as his bat has always been well ahead of his glove. McCann has never graded as an excellent defender, but he’s a competent receiver with an acceptable arm who has long been highly regarded for his work with pitchers.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the Diamondbacks and McCann were in agreement on a one-year deal. Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reported the $2.75MM guarantee and $500K in bonuses, which Steve Gilbert of MLB.com were noted were of the roster variety. David Brandt of The Associated Press had the bonus specifics.
Image courtesy of Mark J. Reblias, Imagn Images.
He still plays? I thought he retired like 5 years ago.
That was Brian McCann
Oh okay. That’s makes more sense. Thanks.
James is the nice one. Brian is the red-as
Brain is a cheater.
Take away his all star year in 2019 and McCann has 5.1 WAR over 11 years. He is an acceptable backup, nothing more.
That’s what he’s signed to be.
Apparently, a strong clubhouse guy too! That character trait seems like a prerequisite for a backup catcher.
why take away his best year though? he still did it.
When I predict future stats for older veterans, I usually remove the best and worst season and use the rest to project regression to the mean.
that’s not what you did though? you took away his best year and evaluated the rest without it.
Correct, I was lazy and did not subtract his worst year as well.
Subtracting his best and worst year, he has 5.8 WAR over ten seasons, or just under 0.6 WAR per season.
Probably why I am not a professional at this. 🤣🤣🤣
@top His best year was 2019 which all stats were inflated due to juiced ball. when a players 2019 stands out glaringly its typically not an anomaly..
What I do think is being ignored is that he compiled a 1 WAR last year in 42 games and roughly 140 plate appearances.
Or maybe he had his best years after Detroit because I don’t know, happy to not be in Detroit. OPS + of 109 and 143.
@toptimrubies
Brady Anderson says hi.
tell him hi for me in return
That was a nice all star year in ’19 and nice 2 yr stretch w the Sox, hitting over .800 OPS. Got Giolito in a groove as his catcher, catching his no hitter. Wish they could have kept him
Great news for James and his family!
The Diamondbacks found their backup catcher!
No surprise. He did well for them last year and they only had two catchers on their 40 man. One who is more hitter than catcher.
Yeah very impreesing racking up 1.0 WAR in 42 games.
His comedy ain’t bad either
Galen’s second half return to form had a lot to do with him. Not saying they’ll resign Gallen, but if they were, this is the first step.
Really wish the O’s kept this guy. He was the teammate and back up catcher the team needed all last season.
I agree, the Orioles would have been better off resigning McCann than wasting money on Gary Sanchez.
Future Manager
For sure.
I don’t expect him to perform as well as he did during his brief 5/6 week stint. However, he appeared to provide a bit of veteran professionalism to a clubhouse that certainly needs some maturity.
He was the best pitching coach we had last season
I’m glad they brought him back Arizona’s pitching did so much better after they signed him last year, and he came up with some big hits too.
Legendary for the broken nose game. Good for the Snakes and McCann. He’s a great piece to have – veteran, leader, can hit in the clutch, pitchers love him.
I remember when everyone was arguing if he or JT Realmuto was a better free agent catcher. Good times lol.
I wouldn’t have JT Realmuto if you have him to me.
Gave him to me.
That guy Rashi is onto something. It’s a small sample, but 22 K’s in 16 innings, 1.91 FIP and even 2 saves is encouraging.
The Marlins and Bendix should be all over him right now.
McCann is a stud and the perfect backup. Good move