Yankees Need McCann More Than Ever

May 13, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Brian McCann collected three hits, including a two-run home run on Tuesday. Having hit safely in four straight games and raising his average to .230, it seems the Yankee catcher might finally be heating up.

The timing could not be better. With Carlos Beltran possibly needing elbow surgery, and no real presence in the middle of the order besides Mark Teixeira, the Yankees are in a situation where they NEED McCann to be the guy they signed for 85 million dollars.

He’s not a going to be a .300 hitter and that’s fine. The Yankees have guys to set the table and get on base. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are having nice years. Yangervis Solarte is hitting the cover off the ball and is the only regular with a .400 on-base-percentage.

The problem is that Solarte’s 22 RBI should not be leading this team. You can’t count on him to hit this way all year. The same can be said for Ichiro Suzuki. Derek Jeter‘s days as a .300 hitter are over. Brian Roberts can’t get out of his own way. Alfonso Soriano has three extra base hits since April 25th.

Right now, Teixeira is the only player in the middle of the order capable of driving in runs. McCann needs to step up. If he can get back to he player that hit twenty home runs in six consecutive seasons, then he and Teixeira may be able to keep the Yankees offense above water until Beltran is healthy, and (hopefully) other players break out of their season-long slumps.

The Yankees’ pitching issues have been well documented. The offense is going to have to step up and carry this team for a while. McCann is a guy that’s counted on to be a run producer. With almost a quarter of the season gone, his 15 RBI are not cutting it. The Yankee backstop needs to build on his mini hot streak if this anemic offense is going to get it going.