CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 26: James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox hits a home run against the Chicago Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 26, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Mets are reportedly preparing to sign catcher James McCann.
The New York Mets have been linked to nearly all the top free agents this offseason. That will happen when a billionaire takes over a franchise.
Steve Cohen wants to spend to win and fans immediately began thinking the team could land catcher J.T. Realmuto. The Mets are reportedly close to signing a catcher, but his name is James McCann.
Mets appear to be adding McCann
McCann spent the past two seasons with the Chicago White Sox and was an All-Star in 2019. Before that he got his start in MLB with the Detroit Tigers.
The veteran catcher is 30 years old and as Ken Rosenthal states, he is set to receive a multi-year deal in New York. That is a nice deal for a career 7.1-WAR player.
Mets fans may still be bummed with this news because it means the need at catcher has been fulfilled and J.T. Realmuto remains a free agent. However, it does not prevent the team from targeting players like George Springer or Trevor Bauer.
McCann has played the best baseball of his career as of late. He slashed .273/.328/.460 in 2019 and posted a .896 OPS in the shortened 2020 season. The veteran is showing up as a catcher with plenty of experience who can bring his knowledge to this talented rotation.
Fans are going to have to be patient this offseason. The MLB free agency process has dragged along at a painfully slow pace in recent years and it is possible players like Bauer and Springer prefer to take their time and consider all their offers. The Mets adding mid-level free agents like McCann and Trevor May in December is not an indication they aren’t targeting the big names.