TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 25: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
The Mets signed James McCann officially on Saturday, and that’s only the beginning.
McCann is a respectable signing by the Mets. While he’s not JT Realmuto, McCann is the second-best catcher on the open market, and the Mets needed a new backstop. It makes sense.
Of course, that doesn’t mean McCann is the jewel of the Mets offseason plans. New York still has quite a ways to go under new owner Steve Cohen. Cohen is a billionaire and has committed to put money in his team in hopes of making them a winner immediately. That means signing a marquee free agent, or acquiring a star on the trade market.
Free agency seems like the most likely option, and Mets fans want George Springer.
Mets fans took to Twitter to campaign for Springer
McCann’s contract is generous, but it leaves the Mets plenty of room to offer Springer the contract he wants. New York’s offer is unknown at this time, but there’s a reason they’re the perceived favorites.
As slow as free agency has been so far this offseason, Mets fans want to speed up the process.
Both McCann and Springer would instantly become the faces of a lineup (along with Pete Alonso) that ought to see an uptick in production with them in the middle of it.
Along with Springer, the Mets are interested in NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer as well. Bauer’s flirted with just about every fanbase in the sport, but the Mets have the money and rotation opening to make him feel welcome.
Either way, it looks like the Mets are far from done after finally inking McCann.