After making a big bullpen slash just this week in signing Trevor May, the Mets are already plotting their next move.
According to MLB Insider Robert Murray, the Mets are engaged in active talks with free agent catcher James McCann, and while nothing is set in stone, talks are progressing. Murray also adds it’s looking increasingly likely McCann will land a four-year pact.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported earlier on Thursday that two rival executives have a growing sense that the Mets have an intensifying interest in McCann. Previously, Andy Martino of SNY has also reported an interest from the Mets in McCann.
McCann, 30, has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago White Sox, after kicking off his career with the Detroit Tigers.
In the shortened 2020 season, the backstop appeared in 31 games and hit .289/.360/.536 with seven home runs and 15 RBI to go along with a 144 wRC+ and .377 wOBA. The seven year veteran was also worth 1.5 fWAR.
In his last full season action in 2019, McCann played in 118 games and slashed .273/.328/.460 with 18 long balls and 60 RBI, a 109 wRC+ and .333 wOBA.
The main concern with McCann, however, is his defensive prowess. In 2019, McCann ranked No. 111 out of 123 qualified catchers in Catcher Defensive Adjustment (CDA) at -7.6, and No. 117 in Fielding Runs Above Average (FRAA) at -10.2.
For the Mets, however, McCann might work as a less expensive option than J.T. Realmuto behind the plate which could allow the team to go all in on bigger names such as outfielder George Springer and 2020 Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer.
