Brian McCann presumably is going to sign with a team at some point this offseason. Have fun guessing when exactly he’ll cross t’s and dot i’s.
McCann’s agent, B.B. Abbott, told WEEI.com that his client could sign with a team at any point, and that they don’t have any specific range of dates in mind.
“We don’t have a timeframe.” Abbott reportedly said. “I can tell you that in our minds, it could be two days or it could be two weeks or it could be two months. I don’t think that we have a real timeframe in mind. If a team is wanting to accelerate the process, we would certainly engage with them. I’m not saying that would ultimately lead to a deal, but there are a lot of factors you have to consider when it comes to timeframe.
“With Brian, at least in our mind, being out on an island from the standpoint that there are no other catchers who are going to hit in the middle of the lineup based on the career path he’s on from a statistical standpoint, because of that I don’t think we have a real timeframe. I think he’s going to have a bevy of suitors and I think whether that’s done in the short-term or the long-term, I think that’s going to exist for him.”
McCann is considered the best catcher available on the open market, so he figures to land a very lucrative deal. Some have predicted that the 29-year-old backstop will earn close to $100 million for five years, although it seems like the catching market is still developing at this point.
Giving a big contract to a catcher is risky business, mainly because of the wear and tear that comes with playing the position. Seemingly understanding that, Abbott reportedly said that his client is willing to at least explore the possibility of playing first base or serving as a designated hitter from time to time, although catching remains McCann’s primary focus.
“I guess there’s always a first time. [Mike] Napoli and [Buster] Posey were certainly two guys that made the transition pretty well,” Abbott reportedly said. “I think it’s attractive that that’s an option out there for him. I think in the very near future, over the next several years, for sure, that he envisions himself being primarily a catcher and then having the ability to stay in the lineup for an additional 50-75 more plate appearances potentially in another role, whether with a National League team at first base or with an American League team at first base and/or DH. He’s in search of additional at-bats to try to maximize what value he has to a team, but I think primarily, at least in his mind, he’s a catcher. I think he certainly would not and will not foreclose any plans or any thoughts that teams might have that might be a little bit outside the box from a standpoint of what his thinking is.”
McCann has earned seven All-Star selections throughout his nine-year career — all with the Braves. He’ll certainly add some pop to whichever lineup he joins, even if the timetable, price tag and overall plans are somewhat undefined at the moment.
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Photo via Flickr/Brian McCann
