Photo: USA Today
The Mets have found their catcher!
Going into the offseason, seemingly everyone had Realmuto linked to the Mets. Well, it looks like he will need to find another home.
The Amazin’s have signed James McCann to a four year deal.
Catcher James McCann and the New York Mets are finalizing a four-year contract for $40 million-plus, sources tell ESPN. After a long back-and-forth where a deal looked tenuous, the sides found detente and the Mets have their catcher. @Ken_Rosenthal was on the deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 12, 2020
McCann is the second best catcher available in a free agent class that may only include two viable options.
McCann signing is pretty simple:
If its the 2019-2020 version of James McCann, its good.
If its the pre 2019 version of James McCann, its bad.
— One Shining Mets ⭐️ (@oneshiningmets) December 12, 2020
With that being said, I think Mets fans should be happy with this acquisition. McCann has been steadily improving on defense, and his offensive numbers have been on par with Realmuto the last two years.
As pointed out by my friend @scottyc9 the Mets essentially have acquired a new back end pen arm plus a new starting catcher already 1st paid for in their combined 2021 salaries to compliments of Cano.
— Ernest Dove (@ernestdove) December 12, 2020
Granted, 2020 was a very short sample size to draw upon, but signing Realmuto would have taken a very sizable investment.
The pitchers on the White Sox have raved about McCann, and by all accounts our new catcher is a natural leader.
It’s interesting that the Mets didn’t wait for Realmuto’s market to really develop. Maybe they heard a number and hung up the phone.
Let’s hope that the positive trends continue. Also, let’s hope that the fourth year is a club option!