The Red Sox did not extend a qualifying offer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia on Monday. That doesn’t mean that Salty won’t be back, but it certainly leaves open the possibility that he could sign elsewhere.
The Red Sox will need to figure out their starting catching situation if Saltalamacchia leaves via free agency. One option — albeit an expensive one — could be fellow free agent Brian McCann, who apparently thinks very highly of Boston.
“Certainly Boston is a city that Brian likes, and he has always respected the organization and the front office,” McCann’s agent, B.B. Abbott, told the Boston Herald. “Obviously, the coaching staff and clubhouse unity is attractive. He has also always been fascinated with the fan base, their support of the Red Sox and the history of the organization. Boston would certainly be a place that would be a consideration for Brian.”
Abbott reportedly didn’t say whether the Red Sox have called to express interest in his client, so for now, we’re left to speculate on whether Boston is even a realistic potential landing spot for the seven-time All-Star. McCann certainly represents an intriguing possibility, though, as he’s long been considered one of the game’s premier backstops.
McCann, who has five Silver Sluggers on his resume, hit .256 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs in 102 games this season. The 29-year-old broke into the majors with Atlanta in 2005, at which point Saltalamacchia was still a member of the Braves organization. McCann was also teammates with David Ross for four seasons from 2009 through 2012.
The Braves made McCann a qualifying offer, so although there’s virtually zero chance of him accepting the one-year, $14.1 million offer, whichever team signs the veteran catcher will be forced to relinquish a compensatory draft pick.
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Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison
