OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
James McCann might be heading to the Mets in the future.
The New York Mets are going to be major players in this free agency cycle, as new ownership is expected to prove to fans they are willing to spend in order to build the best team possible. While many are hoping that former Marlins and Phillies catcher JT Realmuto ends up putting on the Mets‘ pinstripes, the latest buzz suggests that the next best option at catcher might be on his way.
FanSided’s Robert Murray is reporting that the Mets are discussing a deal with McCann, who will likely get offered something in the four-year range.
James McCann has quietly become an excellent offensive catcher
While McCann only played in 31 games last year, oftentimes letting Yasmani Grandal take over as the catcher, but that has done little to deplete his value. After making an All-Star team in 2019, McCann hit .289 with seven home runs last year, all the while putting up a 144 OPS+ that blew his previous career-best out of the water.
Steve Cohen is expected to try to build the Mets in free agency after years of the Wilpons choosing to pinch pennies. Realmuto is clearly the big prize, but Mets fans who have suffered through below-average production behind the plate for years can’t complain about an All-Star catcher that has his best offensive seasons still ahead of him.
The Mets are going to spend heavily in the offseason in order to establish themselves as contenders, and McCann could key a complete offensive revolution at Citi Field. He might not be Realmuto, but he’s certainly a viable starter, and putting McCann in the middle of that lineup could be one of the big pieces that helps the Mets make it back to the postseason.