Source: Mets close to signing catcher James McCann
The Mets are centering on the solution to their catcher vacancy.
James McCann is “close” to signing a deal with the Mets, a source confirmed to the Daily News on Wednesday, though an agreement has not yet been reached. The remaining negotiations are “normal,” per a source. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the deal will likely be for four years.
McCann, entering his age-31 season, produced a .289/.360/.536 slash line with a .896 OPS for the White Sox in 2020. He collected 15 RBIs and seven home runs over 31 games behind the plate in the truncated season.
The catcher spent seven years in the big leagues between the Tigers and White Sox with a career 7.1 WAR. He bounced back in Chicago after a disappointing 2018 season in Detroit and hit .276/.334/.474 in 587 plate appearances from 2019-20.
The Mets’ pending acquisition of McCann, which is not yet a done deal, would take them out of the running for J.T. Realmuto.
Realmuto, 30, drew headlines this offseason as the most coveted backstop on the free-agent market and is recognized industry-wide as the current top catcher in the game. The negotiations surrounding Realmuto have been quiet, per a source. It’s possible the Phillies are holding out for the best possible return.
The Mets’ decision to pivot to a No. 2 choice in McCann suggests they’re focused on signing one or both big-name free agents in outfielder
George Springer and starter Trevor Bauer.
MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS NAMED
The Mets officially announced Wednesday their four minor league affiliations as part of Major League Baseball’s new player development structure, set to begin in 2021.
The Syracuse Mets (TripleA), Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A), Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A) and the St. Lucie Mets (Low-A) have been “invited” by the club to represent the slimmed-down version of their farm system. Syracuse, Binghamton and Brooklyn are all close to the major league team in New York, while St. Lucie also represents the site of the Mets’ spring training camp in Florida.
The Columbia Fireflies and Kingsport Mets are no longer affiliated with the club.
“We feel having a firstclass player development system is crucial to achieving sustained success on the field, and all four of our affiliates are critical to that effort,” team president Sandy Alderson
said in a statement. “We are proud to have worked with such great leadership throughout the state and in each of these communities and are thankful for their continued support.”
Alderson first announced the Mets’ four minor league affiliates during his re-introductory news conference early last month.
Sen. Chuck Schumer was excited about the Mets’ minor league lineup and described it as a momentous occasion for all, despite two affiliations being cut from the club’s system, which led to increased unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is official: The Mets will keep their minor league affiliation in Binghamton, N.Y.,” Senator Schumer said. “After over a year of advocating to preserve the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and working directly with the Mets, (MLB), the Rumble Ponies and local leaders to ensure that MLBaffiliated minor league baseball continues to be played in the Southern Tier, this result is nothing short of a home run for all — and especially for the fans here in the Southern Tier.”