Don’t Give Up On The Atlanta Braves Resigning Brian McCann

June 10th 2005 was the date the 21-year-old Brian McCann introduced himself to the Atlanta Braves fan base at Turner Field.  It was a game against the Oakland Athletics when McCann was inserted into the lineup as the 8th batter.  B-Mac went 2-3 during this game with an RBI single and a walk.  After this day, Atlanta had their catcher for the next nine years.

May 9, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16, right) is congratulated by second baseman

(26) for hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT

The once young prospect is now going to turn 30-years-old on February 20th and his future with the Braves organization is uncertain.  This foggy path is splitting hairs with fans everywhere – half feel the Braves should open up their checkbooks to McCann while others feel they should let him walk.

Braves play in the National League which means no designated hitter.  As Brian ages and puts more games on his knees, the less likely he will be able to continue at this position.  Leading people to believe he is heading to the American League that does have the DH.

As the free agency market is now open, the Braves front office will make the decision on what they want to do in the next couple days/weeks.  The Braves do not want to lose McCann (if they are going to) without some compensation though.  Which means they will plan on offering B-Mac a qualifying offer so if he does sign elsewhere, they would receive a compensatory draft pick in 2014.

The number that is being put out there for McCann is a $100 million dollar contract.  But, that is only a number being thrown out and not mentioning if Brian wants to leave ATL.  The Braves still have options that could benefit both parties – they could sign him to a one year deal with a high pay check or offer a 3-5 year deal.

The offer Braves will probably send to Brian will be a 1-yr, $14.1M qualifying offer.  He will most likely decline this as other team will send the kitchen sink his way.

No one knows what the Braves, other teams or McCann will decide on and it’s all speculation but many are already writing ship on our backstop.  Let’s see what happens first before we pencil in Evan Gattis or Gerald Laird at the catcher position.

What’s your take on things?  I’m interested in hearing what yal have to say…