Just Where May Atlanta Braves Brian McCann Go? So, We Asked…

Aug 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Seven time All-Star and five time Silver Slugger winning catcher, Brian McCann declined the Atlanta Braves qualifying offer of 1 year, $14.1 million on Monday.  This move shouldn’t shock anyone but also shouldn’t discourage any BMac fans.  The move shouldn’t take the Braves out of the running for McCann it simply was a move by the Braves to receive a draft choice if indeed McCann signs else where.

This continues the pattern of free agents not accepting qualifying offers as all 13 players who were offered the $14 million rejected their deals.

Many believe Brian’s days as a Braves’ player are over so I went around our Fansided league and asked a couple tough questions to some of the best writers on our network.  Jays Journal (Toronto Blue Jays), Wahoo’s On First (Cleveland Indians), Halo Hangout (Los Angeles Angels), Nolan Writtin’ (Texas Rangers), and BoSox Injection (Boston Red Sox). Below is our conversation….

What are your chances of acquiring Brian McCann?

Jays Journal: While Brian McCann will undoubtedly be the forefront of the free agent catching market, and the Toronto Blue Jays obviously have a need to upgrade at the position, Toronto is unlikely to bring this big fish home. Toronto’s biggest need this winter is to add one or two starting pitchers to the rotation, meaning that most of the team’s resources will be tied into trying to lock down those spots.

June 25, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and any other high-roller in need of a catcher likely to push the price tag up past the point of comfortability, and well past the point where the Blue Jays can compete and still attend to other needs. This deal is likely going to take 5-6 years and over $100 million to get done, a price tag that will be too rich for Blue Jays blood.

Wahoo’s On First: The Indians are actually in great shape when it comes to the catching position so McCann is out of play for them. They already have Carlos Santana, who has established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. Yan Gomes has also emerged as a possible everyday catcher with his above superior defensive ability and solid bat. Add in the solid number of quality catching prospects throughout the minor league system and there’s no doubt they’ll pass on Brian Mcann.

Halo Hangout:  I don’t think that Brian McCann is a fit for the Angels. This isn’t to say that McCann is bad at what he does, he’s a fine backstop. The Angels simply already have two very capable backstops. And it would BD nice to see someone take Arte’s checkbook from him for once.

Nolan Writin’:  Well, Jon Daniels and the Rangers have made it clear that they want Soto to be their no. 1 catcher going into 2014, and if we know anything about the Rangers front office, that is the time they usually so something like pick up another catcher. Seeing that McCann has shown interest in becoming a Ranger, and seeing that the Rangers have been interested in McCann for a little while now, I would put the Rangers chances somewhere around 60% or signing him. It will all come down to how high the number on McCann gets.

Bosox Injection: I think the Sox chances of signing McCann are good if they decided to meet his asking price.  McCann sounds like a good clubhouse guy but to pay him $20 MM isn’t worth it IMO. The sox would be better off paying Jacoby Ellsbury that annual salary.

That being said, I’d say the sox chances of signing him are 50/50 at this point and we’ll know more when Ellsbury rejects his QO and Chetington and the boys make a stand on him.

How much do you believe it will take to acquire him?

Angles:  Considering how much Arte Moreno likes throwing away money, I could see him throwing 3 years and $45 million at him.

Texas:  I believe it will take somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 years with a price tag of $18 to $20 million a year to get it done.

Boston:  It sounds like he will ask for and likely get 5 years, $100 million or close to it given some big market clubs have all shown interest in the sox, Yankees, rangers and angels according to the rumors.

Personally I don’t think the sox should jump down that rabbit hole given it took a miracle trade to dump the previous large contracts last summer that enabled them to piece together a free agent summer that re-built their clubhouse.

If you do sign McCann how many wins do you think it will add to your team in 2014?

September 6, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) throws to first for an out against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays: With that in mind, I could very well be shocked and the Blue Jays could splurge. If they managed to land McCann, and it’s a big if, McCann is a certifiable upgrade over J.P. Arencibia. That said, he adds 5-7 wins for this team easily, just in his ability to thump at the plate. However, any larger contribution would be contingent upon what other moves the team could make around him.

Texas:  He had a WAR of 2.2 in 2013 for the Braves, while Pierzynski had a WAR of 1.6. McCann is a consistent 20 home run 50+ RBI guy year in and year out, and the Rangers were really lacking guys with power this last season. I think McCann would be worth somewhere in the 3 to 5 more wins range if he joined the Rangers.

Boston:  Should they sign McCann it’s tough to say how many more wins he’d bring given this is a team that won 97 last year. He’d be a big step up behind the plate in terms of throwing out base runners from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and his power bat from the left side would be a much needed piece should mike Napoli sign elsewhere.

To answer the question, I’d say he’s good for at least 3 more wins and could be the difference in getting to 100 W’s. (When comparing to last year of course, I’m not saying boston will win 100 games next year).