Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
The first major signing of the Steve Cohen era is now in the books. This afternoon, the New York Mets officially announced that they have signed catcher James McCann to a four-year deal worth $40.6 million and a $600,000 signing bonus. Tim Healey of Newsday was first on the terms.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the deal is slightly backloaded, as McCann is set to make $8M in 2021/2022 and $12M in 2023/2024.
In a statement, Team President Sandy Alderson said, “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.”
Newly appointed General Manger Jared Porter also praised McCann while speaking last night on WFAN.
“I’m a big fan of James McCann, the changes he’s made with his swing decisions when he went to the White Sox, his aptitude, IQ, and leadership behind the plate, impacting the pitchers 135 or more times a night is so critical,” Porter said.
McCann has really transformed himself into a completely different ballplayer after being non-tendered by the Tigers following the 2018 season. McCann hit .276/.334/.474 with 25 homers, 29 doubles, 116 wRC+, and 3.8 wins above replacement after joining the White Sox in 2019.
It’ll be interest to see where Alderson and Porter pivot to next now that they’ve found their starting catcher for 2021 and beyond.
