Should the Braves keep Brian McCann? For one year, yes
Brian McCann packs his gear. (AJC photo by Phil Skinner)
Brian McCann underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss four to six months. This came at an awkward moment for both player and club. The Braves have until three days after the World Series ends to exercise their option to keep McCann for the 2013 season at $12 million. Should they decline, McCann would become a free agent.
To allow McCann to walk away — it’s doubtful he would be responsive to any Braves’ overture to re-sign at a lower price — is within the Braves’ contractual rights. Letting him leave, however, would not be in their best immediate interests.
Even as we stipulate that the McCann of the past 15 months has been a shadow of the man who made the All-Star team six years running, we must also acknowledge that, assuming a return to health, he’s an above-average catcher. The worthy backup David Ross notwithstanding, the Braves will need a No. 1 catcher in 2013.
Asked Wednesday if McCann’s surgery will affect the Braves’ choice, general manager Frank Wren said via phone: “It’s not a topic I’m discussing. We have three guys who have options, and we never discuss the decision to pick up an option until the deadline date.”
Which makes corporate sense: Why say anything until you’re required to say it? But there seems no compelling reason not to keep McCann for one year more, and no, to answer the next question, saving $12 million isn’t reason enough.
There are times when it might have been. The Braves traded Javier Vazquez, who’d finished fourth in the National League Cy Young balloting, in December 2009 because they weren’t crazy about paying another $11.5 million. This offseason is different. Chipper Jones retired, taking his $14 million salary with him. Derek Lowe’s partially offloaded contract is expiring, so that’s another $10 million. Jair Jurrjens, whose career fizzle is the strangest this franchise has seen since Nick Esasky got vertigo, is surely gone, and that’s $5.5 million. Michael Bourn, who made $6.8 million in 2012, is expected to demand nearly three times that in free agency, and it’s unlikely the Braves will meet his price.
Besides, the Braves had always planned to keep McCann through 2013, so it’s not as if this $12 million catches them by surprise. In sum, this is the first time since Liberty Media bought the club that money is less an object.
That’s the financial side. As for the physical: Catchers tend to age fast, and McCann hasn’t been nearly as good lately. (He was benched for the Braves’ one and only postseason game, a move once unthinkable.) Some of his decline — according to Baseball-Reference.com, McCann’s wins-over-replacement number this past season was a tepid 0.6; Dan Uggla’s was 2.7 — can be traced to injury. But how much?
That’s surely what the Braves will spend 2013 trying to determine. There will be no option attached to McCann next fall. Either he’s re-signed to a new contract or he’s a free agent. For a team that has reason to question the wisdom of re-upping the 30-year-old Uggla for five years at $62 million, the matter of what to do with a catcher who’s approaching 30 will be even more problematic.
Loading ...On the one hand, McCann has been a great servant — really good player, really good teammate, really good guy. On the other, he’ll be a catcher approaching 30, and with the younger Freddie Freeman at first base there’s no other positional landing spot. McCann’s best bet, at least monetarily, might be to look to the American League, where he could double as a designated hitter.
By autumn 2013, the Braves also will have a better feel for Christian Bethancourt, who’s 21 and ranked by MLB.com as the organization’s No. 2 prospect. Bethancourt isn’t ready — he hit .243 with an on-base percentage of .275 in Class AA and broke his left hand to boot — but he’s considered such a good defender that he stands to get a big-league look soon.
Ultimately the Braves will face the decision: To stick with the older and more expensive McCann, or to tap the younger and cheaper Bethancourt as the new No. 1? If McCann doesn’t return to form in 2012, the answer will be obvious. If he does, nothing will be obvious.
One year after losing Chipper, a B-Mac exit would be tough to take. That said, the quickest way to clog a payroll is to keep players who don’t figure to be half as good by the time their contracts lapse. Given that McCann isn’t yet 29, the Braves have every reason to bet $12 million that he’ll be better next year. The tougher call will be when they have to ask (and they will soon): How good will Brian McCann be at 34?
By Mark Bradley
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286 comments Add your comment
Lowcountry Brave
October 18th, 2012
9:39 am
Absent a trade, the Braves are not going to find a decent catcher out there for a one or two year deal. In this regard, Ross and some average catcher would likely split time for a couple of years until Bethancourt is ready (assuming he ever is, as he is not exactly tearing up the minors from an offensive perspective). I don’t think that this would be the worst thing in the world if, and only if, the Braves use the extra cash to pull in two solid sources of offensive production. While this is possible, it really may not happen, which would be a disaster. The smart thing is to bring him back, and use the year to evaluate both him and Bethancourt. To me, this is the safer move, as well as the move that gives the Braves the most flexibility given the numerous variables at play.
tmc
October 18th, 2012
9:47 am
One thing is for sure, you can’t go with the attitude of “we got money this year because of all the money coming off the books from last year. So spend 12 million on McCann and give him a chance to return to form.”
That is a loser’s mentality and will cause you roster problems for sure.
Love McCann as person, but his production and defensive skills have eroded so much in the last 2 years… can’t do it @ 12 mil. No way.
ASHCAN!!!!!
October 18th, 2012
9:52 am
@Hanan, i don’t think SB’S are overrated. It puts pressure on the pitcher to keep the leadoff out of scoring position making him(pitcher) think too much facing the batter throwing off his mechanics. sometimes leadoff hitters at the start of games set the tone if there aggressive. I think bourn is the 2nd best leadoff hitter( 1st otis nixon) the braves ever had. We won’t see how valuable they are until we miss the production from the top of the batting order when there (lead off/bourn) gone.
ASHCAN!!!!!
October 18th, 2012
9:57 am
Perfect example, when we let furcal walk we were horrible at leadoff for a number of years. We(braves) kept experimenting with different players to lead off. Bourn is a true leadoff hitter, and power don’t always define that position but on base percentage.
ASHCAN!!!!!
October 18th, 2012
10:00 am
Definately keep mcCann, he will only get better and he has a lot of baseball left at his age.
a fan
October 18th, 2012
10:07 am
For you Uggla bashers I repeat Michael Bourn & Dan Uggla had the identical OBP a respectable 348
Wink
October 18th, 2012
10:09 am
Brian McCann option should not be picked up, why not you say?
Well, let say McCann rebounds in 2013, you still have to sign him. He currently makes, $12 mill plus and he will certainly want a pay increase and long term contract to reup with the Braves. Brian has health issues the last couple of years and now you sign on for 4 to 5 years to take the chance he has rounded the corner on his health concerns.
That money would better served to extend Prado and prepare to pay Heyward & Freeman, 3 parts of the equation we know form our core players going forward.
What is not being talked about is McCann’s eye sight, he has tried contacts, lasik, & glasses, anyone notice he constantly wipes at his eyes during an at bat, in addition to the shoulder, his continued decline to throw out base runners and he is dropping in the batting order.
Catchers in general, are for defensive purposes, Bentancourt can handle that aspect of the job already. Most MLB clubs bat the catcher 7th or 8th in the order, McCann currently sits in the 6 hole, only because of the blind loyalty of Gonzalez. McCann and Uggla should have been in the 7th & 8th holes for most of the 2012 season.
Yes, McCann is a 6 time all star at his position, and lead catchers in batting categories, but the position historically is not a offensive position and someone has to lead, but does not automatically put that catcher in the clean up spot…nothing against McCann, but he has seen his better days and is in steep decline; he’s injured and he’s a catcher…it happens!
There is nothing to gain by exercising his option and only delays making a decision on the position or the player. So we have a ton of money this year to spend, add Mac’s money and completed the overhaul and prepare to build on the new CORE!
If you are contemplating making a dumb decision, then do the following, get rid of Uggla or McCann, one must go! If you want to rent a player for a year or two, without major commitment, then contact the Yankees and still A-Rod; the Yankees would have to pay most of his salary. Now there’s a gamble worth taking A-Rod replaces Chipper!
Mark in ATL
October 18th, 2012
10:11 am
Pick up the option and say goodbye after 2013….move onto the younger kid with a cheaper contract.
TomTomClub
October 18th, 2012
10:20 am
Let McCann walk! Resign David Ross @ 2yr/7M. Trade Tommy Hanson and Julio Teheran to Minnesota for Ryan Doumit-C/1B/OF and Ben Revere-CF. This trade matches up salary wise and it addresses needs for both clubs. Then sign Josh Hamilton @ 4yr/100M with a team option 5th yr.
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
10:21 am
would you people please stop pontificating on McCann getting an extension from the Braves?!!!!!! He will almost assuredly go to an AL team who will pay him WAY more money than any NL team will because he can extend his career DH’ing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez…
a fan
October 18th, 2012
10:24 am
Uggla and Bourn same OBP 348
JR
October 18th, 2012
10:29 am
Re-sign him for 3 years at about 8 mill per. If he will do that then keep him. I would not pay 13 mill. Love the guy, but business is business and we need to free payroll
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
10:33 am
JR, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFF McCann recovers and is even like 80% of what he once was, several AL teams will vie for his services at the end of 2013. He will be paid WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY more than 8 million a year by one of those teams to catch SOME and DH a LOT…
No to JH
October 18th, 2012
10:41 am
Josh Hamilton is a wreck, and if you watched the last month of the season you would have known that.
Only part time hustle, much like Andruw, which we don’t need. IF we could get Constanza to spank the ball on the ground and run, he could be a 280-300 hitter. He doesn’t seem to get that, nor did Bourn for some reason.
Pick up Mac’s option, if he is 100% after rehab it’ll be worth it. If not, we’ll surely get part of a season, and then move on.
dobearsbare
October 18th, 2012
10:43 am
Release him and work up a prearb long-term deal with Kimbrel. The Braves have plenty of guys who are good in the clubhouse. Their window of championship opportunity, such as it is, probably ends when Kimbrel leaves.
Whoever mentioned David Wright — no way the Mets let him walk.
TomTomClub
October 18th, 2012
10:48 am
No to JH McCann is a wreck, and if you watched the last year at all you would have known that.
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
10:49 am
I think it’s very possible David Wright goes to a contender. Even if the Mets offer him a legitimate deal, at this point in his career, is he willing to wait on a re-build? He may stay in NY, but I won’t be surprised at all if a current contender pulls him away. He should be a target for us if we can clear enough (McCann) money off the books to make him a good offer. Then, we can start looking at finding a Lowe to Cleveland type deal to un-load Ugly Dan. If those 2 happened, I’d be pretty excited about next year, ’cause our starting rotation will likely be even better than this year, and the bullpen should be good as ever…
Peter R.
October 18th, 2012
10:50 am
Eh, just set him free. He’s made plenty of money. The Braves don’t owe him anything. If Wren thinks he can’t perform, then I’m fine just letting him go elsewhere. Makes business sense to me to try and get some players this season who could provide the offensive punch to drive this lineup. .230 last season with some pretty weak at bats to boot. We have one Uggla, we don’t need another. Baseball is a cutthroat sport, how do you think the As and the Rays have stayed competitive? By making the tough decisions and spending their money the right way. If he’s out until May then that will cost the Braves too. Just let him go.
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
10:52 am
Let him go. Trade Uggla, even if you have to eat some of his salary. Go get a couple of premier outfielders like C. Ross and Hamilton. Move Prado to third. Lineup looks like this:
Ross
Prado (2B)
Heyward
Hamilton
Freeman
Fransisco (3B)
Simmons/Pastornicky
D. Ross/Bethancourt
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
10:53 am
I meant Prado to 3b or 2b; depending on who you get for Uggla
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
11:00 am
Look, I understand that McCann has been a great clubhouse guy and he can’t help the injuries and eye issues. But you know what he can help? Being fat and a bad defender. If I’m paying you 12 million dollars you could at least work on your defense and step on the treadmill every once in a while. Carrying an extra 20-30 pounds of spare tire is detrimental to your swing; and don’t give me the Babe Ruth and Prince Fielder comments; they were/are great IN SPITE of that disadvantage. Fact is that if Fielder and McCann lost some wieght they’d be better hitters. Anyone who’s played the game knows that fat around your wasteline slows your bat speed and reduces your ability to adjust your swing to offspeed pitches. That’s why McCann has to cheat a little, start his swing early and yanks everything to left field.
He may recover from the injury, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that he hasn’t done little things to get in better shape and become a better fielder. He is, at this point, a bad investment!
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
11:02 am
I meant “right field”
AlanFalcon
October 18th, 2012
11:15 am
Without question, the Braves would still have one of the very top combinations with Bryan and David, at the end of 2013 they can make a decision, for now how ever it’s imperative that both be Braves is 2013
AlanFalcon
October 18th, 2012
11:18 am
Hanan, good thing you arn’t the Braves GM, we would be in a world of hurt.
Yorker
October 18th, 2012
11:22 am
Vizcano
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
11:27 am
AlanFalcon: so you, along with Mark Bradley and David O’Brien all think that it makes good financial sense to tie up roughly 15% of next year’s payroll on one player who was already a poor defensive player before all this started and who just had major reconstructive surgery on his THROWING SHOULDER? Okey Dokey:)
You know what this sounds like to me? A bunch of McCann’s buddies hoping he gets a big pay-off, that’s what…
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
11:27 am
Please explain Falcon? What was wrong with my analysis? Unsure about Hamilton? Ok. Get Wright, move Prado to 2B, Ross in Center and make constanza an everyday leftfielder (if you can’t find another LF for 10 million or less.
reckingball
October 18th, 2012
11:28 am
It’s really a no-brainer.
The Braves will keep McCann for the 2013 season.
No to JH
October 18th, 2012
11:36 am
TomTom,
No offense, sir, but of course Mac was a wreck this year. That is why he had surgery to repair his shoulder. IF he comes back from surgery, ala Prado, Medlen, etc…he’ll be worth the $. If not, then he’ll be gone after the season.
Hamilton’s wreck had nothing to do with health, it was ATTITUDE!
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
11:38 am
The GM’s job is to field the best team with the money available. The decision boils down to risk management. Is the risk of paying McCann 13 million for another lack-luster year (maybe partial year due to injury), worth the chance of having him healthy and back to form? I don’t think it is. Especially when you have several good free agent options like Wright, Hamilton, C. Ross, Pierzynski, Granderson, and Pagan who would fill your needs. Again, if you offload McCann and Uggla, add in the money from the departures of Jones and Bourne, you have nearly 50 million dollars to make your team better. Keeping McCann and Uggla gives you the same production (or worse) as last year….which wasn’t good enough.
Pal Joey
October 18th, 2012
11:44 am
I say, go with Ross. He’s as good as 80% of catchers in the N L and he is not too expensive. I would pick up McCann’s salary for another year, but would be very skeptical about signing him to an expensive five year contract after that. He would make a good addition to an AL team as a back up catcher and designated hitter. He is a great guy and I would really hate to lose him, but unless he shows marked improvement in 2013 after he comes back from surgery, it would be fool hardy to pay him a big contract for another five years. Catching is a grueling position and it wears out players like no other position. I wish him a speedy recovery and I want him to come roaring back. But in reality, I am less confident that will happen.
tmc
October 18th, 2012
11:46 am
What picking up the $12 million dollar option on Brian McCann means to me:
That the Braves organization is more interested in PR and good publicity than winning a championship and putting the best product on the field. PERIOD.
Tim
October 18th, 2012
11:50 am
I have always liked McCann but there comes a time when you have to look past what they were and look at where they are headed. So far, no one can say he will return to his old form. This is two years in a row where the wear and tear of being a catcher has caught up with him. In the past two years, he is not the old Brian McCann. His offensive production is down and he is a defensive liability.
It is time to start fresh. Use the 12M you save on him and pick up a servicable catcher on the free agent market. Then find a good RH bat for the line-up either at 3rd base or the OF. Also, use the money to bring in a good lead-off hitter. That will make this team 100% better.
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
11:53 am
The Braves were tied with the CUBS this year for worst NL team BA with runners in scoring position and had the 4th most strikeouts in the NL with runners in scoring position. McCann had the worst average on the team with men in scoring position (.167) and Uggla led the team in K’s with men in scoring position……..still want to keep them? I don’t!
Tim
October 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
Here is who I would like to see the Braves pursue in free agency this year in order of importance:
3B – David Wright
OF – Shane Victorino
OF – BJ Upton
C – Mike Napoli
P – James Shields
OF – Angel Pagan
OF – Nick Swisher
P – Annibel Sanchez
C – A.J. Pierzynski
I would make signing David Wright my number one priority. It solves your RH bat problem in your line-up immediately.
I would then go after Shane Victorino as a lead-off hitter. He can play centerfield and will do a very good job for you. Defensively, he would be a good get for the Braves.
I would then try to sign Mike Napoli as a catcher. His offensive numbers are very decent and he would be the stop gap till Bethancourt was ready to move up.
Larry30
October 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
This isn’t a hard decision. He is not worth $12 million, period. He is a below average defender and his greatest value is in his bat and offensively he has been below average for a season and a half. This whole scenario illustrates a lack of vision in the front office. They were willing to entertain trade offers last offseason for Prado, who most people can see is one of the most valuable players we have. Yet they hang onto McCann until this situation arises when anyone who can impartially evaluate talent could see that over the course of a season McCann would gain weight and become ineffective behind the plate. I was suggesting a trade involving McCann in 2011 and was ridiculed for even thinking of trading an all star and the “best catcher in baseball.” We could have cleaned up with some AL team on a trade but our GM has a disturbing habit of buying high (Lowe, Uggla, Mclouth, kawakami) and selling low. If our front office has any sense and vision they will save the $12 million and start coming up with a plan to sign Freeman to a long term deal.
WhoCares?
October 18th, 2012
12:10 pm
Wow. Everybody’s so sure. Absolutely we can get Hamilton, or Upton, or Wright. Yeah? Maybe, maybe not. and Hamilton is damaged goods. If you;’re uncertain about McCann, be uncertain about dropping even more cash for Hamilton. Same for Upton; big downside in his production. Wright would be a solid replacement for Chipper, but just by waving our money doesn’t mean we get him. And no matter, because without McCann we need a catcher. Ross is too old for full-time duty, and Bethancourt seems REALLY not ready. Has good defense, but look at Lavarnway in Boston. Good defense, but called up too early to be effective. Best option: stick with McCann.
what of it?
October 18th, 2012
12:11 pm
cut him loose. he’s the second highest paid catcher in baseball and not nearly worth it. The offensive numbers have taken a nose dive which isn’t surprising given his lack of durability (even for a catcher), and his defense isn’t close to average. he’s lead the league in errors for catchers on more than one occasion.
Nice guy. Not a leader. let him get his paycheck elsewhere. god knows we paid him handsomely. as a middle of the road spender, we simply don’t have the luxury of seeing if he turns things around
what of it?
October 18th, 2012
12:14 pm
Larry30 – couldn’t have said it better myself. Freeman should be the face of the organization for the next 15 years
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
All you need to be able to do is get 1 of the big names (hamilton, wright, Swisher) a decent outfielder (feel certain we could lure C. Ross to come play on a contender with his brother) and move prado to the open position. No matter who is behind the plate you will have offset the loss in offensive numbers.
Hanan
October 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
AND we’ll be better defensively overall.
LostCause
October 18th, 2012
12:19 pm
Is there someone available for a better value for 2-3 years? That is the question, either by trade or free agency. But if they keep him … make sure he is healthy before he returns otherwise you will have last years results at this years inflated price! Be smart Frank!!!
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
12:19 pm
there are several FA catchers available who are worlds better defensively than McCann and won’t cost 1/2 as much so I refuse to see him as our “best option” under any circumstances, whatsoever…
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
12:21 pm
no on AJ Pierzinski…period…one of the most hated players in baseball and will ultimately be a clubhouse cancer…
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
12:25 pm
same goes for Cody Ross, way too obnoxious to be a Brave…
BravesFanSince80s
October 18th, 2012
12:27 pm
Napoli would top my list for FA catchers, but David Wright would be my top FA acquisition target…
Alpharetta Guy
October 18th, 2012
12:32 pm
To chime in on the “McCann to Third” comment, my son played travel ball w/ the McCann boys back in the day (back when Brad was considered more the stud than Brian). Brian was the only 13 yr old on our 14 yr old team & was our backup catcher. He played 2nd base and was a vacuum cleaner there–nothing got by him. That was years ago and it would take some transition time but he’s a good athlete & could probably settle in to being an average defensive 3rd baseman.
Alpharetta Guy
October 18th, 2012
12:32 pm
To chime in on the “McCann to Third” comment, my son played travel ball w/ the McCann boys back in the day (back when Brad was considered more the stud than Brian). Brian was the only 13 yr old on our 14 yr old team & was our backup catcher. He played 2nd base and was a vacuum cleaner there–nothing got by him. That was years ago and it would take some transition time but he’s a good athlete & could probably settle in to being an average defensive 3rd baseman.
Mister Frisky
October 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
Considering the performance or lack there of in October,no one should be safe as it pertains to making this team October clutch.
Ken Stallings
October 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
No one is going to offer Josh Hamilton $25 million a year to sign. No one! Things are changing in baseball and I think even the evil empire (New York Yankees) are starting to realize the disadvantages of signing players for Monopoly money. The Yankees are saddled with contracts for veterans that makes it impossible to unload them even in give-away trades.
I expect Hamilton to sign for something like $18 million a year. Could the Braves be that team? It is possible and should be looked at. I will say when I was first on this idea, Hamilton had not yet puled his disappearing act to close the season. So, that was very much a red flag. So, I have soured on him some.
I very much like the idea of trying to sign David Wright to play third base. That would allow the Braves to keep Prado in left field, where he plays very well. Then, it comes down to centerfield, and there are many options if Bourn actually does get offered a ridiculous contract. I don’t think that will happen either. Without power, Bourn will be offered nothing more than $12 million a year. Scott Boras will ask for more, act like anything less than $20 million a year is an insult, but all the big budget teams are already heavily leveraged: Dodgers, Angels, Yankees, Mets, Phillies.
This isn’t a great year for free agents getting monster deals that change the landscape. I think the Braves can resign Bourn for something in the area of $12-14 million a year, and if so, should give it serious consideration. Anything more than that, and they should cut ties with Bourn and go in a different direction.