Yankees To Begin Working Out Brian McCann at First Base

New York Yankees starting catcher Brian McCann will begin working out at first base in order to increase the team’s flexibility going forward.

When the news came out in February that Greg Bird would miss the 2016 season with shoulder surgery, it became clear that the New York Yankees were very thin at first base behind injury prone Mark Teixeira. With career underachiever Dustin Ackley next in line behind Tex, reporters and fans began scouring for an upgrade.

One of the more obvious options was catcher Brian McCann, who had 26 games played at the position for the Yankees over the previous two seasons. Surprisingly, the 32-year-old backstop was adamant that he wasn’t a good choice to play first.

He told Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media before the start of spring training:

I don’t think they want me over there. I don’t think — I don’t move too good. I don’t think they want that.

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McCann went on to say that he didn’t think a move out from behind the plate was in his immediate future, which is fair considering he has been one of the league’s strongest defensive catchers in recent years.

I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it. I got a lot of good years left behind the plate so I haven’t put too much thought into playing first yet.

He’s only played five innings total at first base for the Yankees in 2016, but that may be about to change.

Recently promoted top prospect Gary Sanchez has started the last two games for the Yankees at catcher and has looked excellent on both sides of the ball. He’s gone 5-for-15 with three doubles, three runs scored, and three RBI through four games played.

In addition, Sanchez has drawn rave reviews about his work behind the plate, particularly his exceptional arm strength. He threw down to potential basestealers during his first game Friday night. The only two stolen bases he allowed Saturday were with the notoriously slow Dellin Betances on the mound.

Sanchez’s strong play could cause them to revisit trade talks with the Atlanta Braves that started before the August 1st non-waiver deadline. Alternatively, the Yankees could see Brian McCann as an eventual option at first base.

Greg Bird’s status for 2017 remains up in the air following shoulder surgery and Triple-A first baseman Tyler Austin has been up-and-down in recent years. If he can handle the position, McCann would provide the Yankees with a more certain option at first base.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi told Brendan Kuty before Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 loss to Cleveland that McCann would start working out at first in order to increase the team’s flexibility.

“I told Brian he should take grounders at first base just to give us options,” Girardi said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Indians at Yankee Stadium. “He’s done it before and he’s pretty comfortable over there.”

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At the moment, the Yankees aren’t ready to commit to a position switch for McCann, but this could be the first sign that it could be in the cards sooner rather than later, especially if Sanchez keeps hitting. According to Girardi:

That’s probably a discussion to have over the winter. That’s not something we’ve talked about. I’m focused on this year. Next year is a long way away.