*Photo from The Athletic*
The New York Mets have had a very good offseason so far. The Mets have signed C James McCann to a 4 year, $40 million deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. McCann's deal also includes a signing bonus which pushes the total value to over $40 million. The deal has been confirmed by the Mets.
McCann had a good season for the Chicago White Sox in 2020, hitting .289 with 7 homers and 15 RBI and an .896 OPS in 31 games played for the White Sox, splitting time with Yasmani Grandal behind the plate. In his 7 year career, McCann is a .249 hitter with 65 homers and 252 RBI and a career .694 OPS in 601 games played in that timespan. McCann has spent his career with the Detroit Tigers from his debut in 2014 until 2019, when he signed a two year deal with the White Sox.
Mets GM Sandy Alderson said of McCann's signing that "James has established himself as one of the best dual-threat catchers in the game, his leadership and presence in the clubhouse were instrumental in guiding a young pitching staff into the postseason in 2020."
The Mets had been in the market for a catcher after incumbent catchers Robinson Chirinos and Wilson Ramos became free agents, and the Mets were negotiating with both McCann and JT Realmuto, the two best catchers on the free agent market. McCann is expected to get the bulk of the starts behind the plate as opposed to the platoon roles he played in Detroit and Chicago, with veteran backup Tomas Nido expected to back up McCann.
The Mets have had a very busy winter under new owner Steve Cohen and the re-hired Alderson, and McCann's contract gives the Mets the ability to bring in more talent. The Mets were able to bring back Marcus Stroman on a one year qualifying offer contract, and signed reliever Trevor May to a two year deal recently. Alderson has also been vocal on upgrading the rotation as well, with the Mets eyeing the best starting pitcher on the market, Trevor Bauer.
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