Plan on hearing Brian McCann‘s name even more frequently in a couple of weeks.
McCann, who is the best catcher available on the open market, is expected to start visiting with teams in the next two weeks, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. The Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers reportedly are among more than a half-dozen teams interested in the free-agent backstop.
This isn’t the first time that McCann’s name has come up in speculation involving Boston, New York or Texas. It is, however, the first we’re hearing of his free agency tour getting ready to kick off. Once McCann starts visiting with teams, we can expect an onslaught of reports regarding his next destination, how each meeting goes, whether he enjoys the local cuisine, etc.
All three of the aforementioned teams could use a catcher. The Red Sox, of course, could still opt to re-sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He would come much cheaper than McCann, who is rumored to be looking for a contract in the $100 million range, but it’s unclear just how long the Red Sox are willing to go on a deal for either catcher. Prospects Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart are quickly climbing the ranks in the Red Sox system.
Perhaps we’ll have a few less suitors by the time McCann hits the open road — or, more likely, skies — given that his free agency tour is two weeks away. In any event, it should be a ride filled with plenty of juicy rumors, if you’re into that sort of thing.
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Photo via Flickr/Steve Paluch
