James McCann had an All-Star season in 2019 and during a span of a 60-game 2020 season he followed up and earned a four-year $40.6 million contract with the Mets.

Yes, J.T. Realmuto would have been the first preference. And in a year when free agency is moving slow, the Mets had to make the big splash in their need for a starting catcher.

They got a good one in 30-year-old James McCann. You heard the accolades from those in baseball when the signing of McCann became official last week. 

MMO reached out to two-time All-Star Gio Gonzalez. He threw to McCann this past season as an occasional starter and bullpen arm for the White Sox.

“What he brings to the clubhouse, to the rotation, he does his homework, he sits with the pitcher and works on every category,’” said Gonzalez. He said if the Mets could not acquire Realmuto, they got a catcher that is just as good.

“Either one of those guys you are headed in the right direction,” Gonzalez said. 

Yes, Realmuto is considered the best hitting catcher in baseball and the stats provide enough to make that claim. But In 2020, the McCann metrics behind the plate went from 9.0 runs below average to 2.3 above average in a 60-game season.

Think a bit what 162 games will bring, though McCann was never considered the above average hitter.  Sandy Alderson, though, looked at how McCann improved behind the plate.

“What separates him,” said Gonzalez, “He’s not coming to work and focusing on his hitting. He focuses on his catching, his signs, multiple categories. The White Sox were lucky to have McCann.”

Well, now the Mets are fortunate to have James McCann. He will lead a starting rotation of Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, probably David Peterson and Steven Matz. There is also the projected return of Noah Syndergaard from Tommy John surgery, and the outside chance of Trevor Bauer or another of the profiled free agent pitchers joining the rotation. 

“Catchers do make a rotation and in the clubhouse, McCann is a leader,” Gonzalez said. “He elevates the people around him constantly helping the younger guys, also educating the young catchers that are there.” 

Gonzalez said McCann has a great strike zone and pinpoints the no-hitter of Lucas Giolito against the Pirates in late August that saw the right-hander throw 101 pitches.

“He’s got a great strike zone. He knows what pitch he wants you to throw often. Look for what he did for Giolito. You are talking about saving of runs as a difference.”

McCann did his homework. Giolito threw mostly fastballs and cutters.   

“He’s not afraid to speak his mind and saying to do it the right way..” Gonzalez said.   

So this was the first big splash for the Mets in free agency. Steve Cohen and Sandy Alderson have their eyes on some of the other big names. George Springer is reportedly eyeing the Mets. The Trevor Bauer possibility is still strong.

Again, the market as of now is slow but business will pick up in a few weeks and the Mets are expected to be active.

McCann said last week, “The first thing to know about me I’m always going to pride my game on my defense. I’ve always felt that way, because I truly believe that a catcher can impact the game tenfold defensively than he can offensively, especially during the course of the season.”

He cited metrics and analytics. And that relationship with a catcher and a pitcher.

“He wants you to be alert just like him,” said Gonzalez. Not only that, he wants to catch your bullpen. He needs to know. A win- win situation every pitch you throw.”

And a winning situation for the Mets with the signing of James McCann.