During New York Mets general manager Jared Porter’s introductory press conference on Monday afternoon, we got a glimpse into what went into the Mets’ decision to sign free-agent catcher James McCann over top-available backstop J.T. Realmuto this offseason.
McCann, 30, signed a four-year, $40 million deal with New York this weekend as Realmuto, 29, lingers on the open market.
Mets team president Sandy Alderson confirmed that though they had “great conversations” with Realmuto’s representation, there was only so long they could wait around.
“This was a timing issue […] We have a number of needs. We can afford to wait to fill some of them. We can’t afford to wait to fill all of them,” Alderson said. “This wasn’t a compromise pick […] There’s a lot we like about James.”
McCann’s experienced a breakout of sorts since the start of 2019, hitting .276/.334/.474 with 25 home runs, 75 RBIs, 116 wRC+, and 3.8 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) over 587 plate appearances.
The strides he’s taken behind the plate are noteworthy, as well. Among all qualified backstops last season, McCann’s 61.8% strike rate on the bottom edge of the strike zone ranked sixth in baseball (Statcast) and his framing work on the edges improved dramatically, as well.
Realmuto is by all accounts the cream of the catching crop this winter. Though, with an annual salary expected to double what McCann’s earning and a market that will presumably be drawn out, the Mets made their move and don’t appear to have any qualms about it.
We’ll keep you posted with new information as it becomes available.
