New York Yankees Close To Signing Brian McCann To 5-Year Deal

Sep 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) hits a home run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Update: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has reported that the Yankees’ deal with Brian McCann is done, he will be a Yankee, pending physical. Rosenthal says that the terms of the deal are 5-years, $85 million, with a vesting option for a 6th year that would bring the total worth to $100 million. His average salary will be $17 million a year.

The Yankees will also be sending their first round pick in 2014 to the Braves because McCann was offered a qualifying offer, which he declined.

Original: The New York Yankees are on the verge of signing free-agent catcher Brian McCann, two sources tell Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports also reports that the deal would be worth more than $80 million over 5-years.

McCann, the top catcher on the free-agent market, has been drawing interest from several teams, and has been near the top of the Yankees’ offseason wish list. The Yanks had been in serious discussions with the backstop, and he was reportedly going to start visiting teams within the next week.

McCann, who turns 30 in February, missed some time early in the 2013 season, but still went on to hit 20 homeruns while driving in 57 RBI’s in 102 games for the Atlanta Braves.

As a left-handed bat with a good amount of power, McCann will fit in perfectly in Yankee Stadium, batting right in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup. Should the Bombers be able to re-sign Robinson Cano, he and McCann would provide some much needed power in the lineup.

A career .277 hitter, he spent nine years in Atlanta where he and his wife grew up, and have lived for a long time. Now he gets to pack his back and move up north to the Big Apple.