It’s Time for the Yankees to Part Ways with Brian McCann

Former New York Yankees starting catcher Brian McCann no longer is a good fit for the club’s rebuilding roster.

Before the 2014 season the Yankees signed Brian McCann to a 5 year $85 million dollar deal. The first three years of the deal have worked out great, even with McCann being seen by many fans as something of a disappointment, but now with the emergence of Gary Sanchez as the starting catcher for the foreseeable future, there just isn’t much use for McCann going forward.

The departure of Russell Martin after 2012 left a huge hole at catcher for New York, one that Chris Stewart was never going to be able to fill. When one of the best catchers in the game became available in the 2013-2014 offseason, the Yankees jumped at the opportunity.

McCann’s first three seasons with the club were markedly less productive than his peak with Atlanta. He has hit a combined .235/.313/.418 (99 OPS+) during his time in pinstripes, although he has extended his impressive streak of 20 homer seasons to nine.

More from Yankees News

• CC Sabathia defends Yankees’ massive Aaron Judge contract
• Scott Boras closed Yankees-Carlos Rodón deal from Fenway Park, put cherry on top
• Orioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agency
• Guy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction
• Did Yankees fans bully Hal Steinbrenner into signing Aaron Judge, Carlos Rodón?

After Sanchez’s historic rookie season, he is clearly the catcher of the future. So where does that leave McCann?

The Yankees are trying to get younger and McCann is only 32 but he is getting up there and doesn’t really fit the direction the team is taking right now. With this said it’s time for the Yankees to trade him.

Since Sanchez was called up rumors have been swirling around about a possible McCann trade returning to the Braves. This seems like it can happen but the problem is the players who Atlanta would give up.

The Yankees want either Mike Foltynewicz or Ender Inciarte which I think is a fair deal but the Braves don’t want to give either of them up. Personally it doesn’t seem like these two teams will reach a deal but there should be many other suitors.

The Nationals are another team who will need a catcher once their own, Wilson Ramos, hits free agency. This is only one of multiple teams who should have interest in McCann, and the Yankees shouldn’t have trouble finding suitors because of the thin crop of free agent catchers this winter.

Next: Top Five Arms Under 25 the Yankees Should Target

Dealing McCann would have the added benefit of opening up an every day job for another Baby Bomber in 2017. The leading choice to take over McCann’s DH at-bats could be Tyler Austin, who came up this season and played very well during his stint in the majors. A trade could also give the Yankees enough room to carry Mason Williams out of spring training next season.