Yankees to sign Brian McCann

[cincinnati chili]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/1...an-mccann.html

Looks like 85 million guaranteed over 5 years and a 6th year vesting option pushing it over 100 million guaranteed. Do. Not. Like.

In this thread, we argued respectfully over whether it would be worth it for the Reds to pay him "slightly less than" 12 million per year over 4 years or so. I didn't like him at that much, and I hate him for this much.

The Yankees can afford to make a few mistakes, and this will almost certainly be one of them. Per usual, the high-end free agents are a really bad buy.

[Kc61]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/1...an-mccann.html

Looks like 85 million guaranteed over 5 years and a 6th year vesting option pushing it over 100 million guaranteed. Do. Not. Like.

In this thread, we argued respectfully over whether it would be worth it for the Reds to pay him "slightly less than" 12 million per year over 4 years or so. I didn't like him at that much, and I hate him for this much.

The Yankees can afford to make a few mistakes, and this will almost certainly be one of them. Per usual, the high-end free agents are a really bad buy.

This contract is not a bad buy.

The Yankees understand that they need to give a premier hitting catcher a longer deal to get him.

But they don't care too much because (1) He is perfectly suited as a DH in Yankee Stadium and (2) They know his last year or two is a gamble.

These teams give an extra year or two to get the player. They don't expect much in those years. The objective here is probably three very good years with McCann as catcher, hitter, and then DH. Anything more is gravy.

[PuffyPig]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/1...an-mccann.html

Looks like 85 million guaranteed over 5 years and a 6th year vesting option pushing it over 100 million guaranteed. Do. Not. Like.

It's $85M guaranteed. The vesting option is not "guaranteed" by definition.

[757690]

I'm guessing from this and the Peralta rumors that Choo gets $100M and Cano gets close to $300M.

[cincinnati chili]

It's $85M guaranteed. The vesting option is not "guaranteed" by definition.

you are correct. poor choice of words on my part.

Even for the Yankees, I hate the contract. If we're thinking that the Yanks are paying him for 3 years of productivity, then I say it's dumb to pay Brian McCann roughly $85 million for 3 years of productivity. Look at Johnny Bench age 30-35. That's about the best you can expect from him (very good to elite for 3 years, then somewhere between crap and below average thereafter). Even Johnny Bench was not worth $28+ million/year in 2014 dollars in his 1978-1980 seasons.

People think the Yankees have an unlimited budget, but it sure didn't seem like it last year. I'll believe they have an unlimited budget when they sign ALL the big free agents. They can use all of them... Cano, Choo, Ellsbury, Tanaka.... Why not sign Carlos Ruiz, pay him half as much for only a couple years, and then have the $$$ to sign an extra one of those other top guys?

[MoneyInTheBank]

You will get 3 years of productivity at catcher but I think they can get another 1 or 2 at 1B/DH. Teixeira's contract will be up, A-Rod will only have 1 year left (if he's not retired or suspended) and Jeter will be retired.

They certainly overpaid, but don't you always with free agents?

[SporkLover]

Overpay. Oh we'll.

[cincinnati chili]

You will get 3 years of productivity at catcher but I think they can get another 1 or 2 at 1B/DH. Teixeira's contract will be up, A-Rod will only have 1 year left (if he's not retired or suspended) and Jeter will be retired.

They certainly overpaid, but don't you always with free agents?

He'd be one of the worst hitting 1B/DHs in the league if he played those positions today at age 29. How worthless will he be at 1B/DH in 4 years? We're not talking a guy who hits like Posey or even Mauer.

[joshua]

The Yankees paid $85 million for a guy who hit 256/.336/.461 this year and .230/.300/.399. And this guy will eventually be their DH.

If the Red Sox got flack for giving Ortiz the deal he has, the Yankees should be absolutely crucified.

Makes me wonder what kind of astronomical offers Choo and Beltran will get from them.

[joshua]

Deleting. Double posted because I'm a sober genius.

[Topcat]

Deleting. Double posted because I'm a sober genius.

Forgiven and you nailed it. Stupidity of owners are killing baseball.

[BluegrassRedleg]

About 5-6 fewer big flies at GABP next season.

[MoneyInTheBank]

He'd be one of the worst hitting 1B/DHs in the league if he played those positions today at age 29. How worthless will he be at 1B/DH in 4 years? We're not talking a guy who hits like Posey or even Mauer.

I disagree with your first assertion. With his .796 OPS last season, he would have finished 3rd among DHs (in the AL) and 11th (Overall) among 1B. But who knows, with as terrible as their DH situation was last year, they may be able to find a way to DH him for 60 games or so a year and squeeze another year of catcher production out of him.

I don't think he needs to hit like the best 2 hitting catchers in the game to be "productive" in 4 years. Is he going to be one of the top 1B/DH hitters in the league in 4 years? Certainly not. Will he be worthless? I don't believe so.

[757690]

I disagree with your first assertion. With his .796 OPS last season, he would have finished 3rd among DHs (in the AL) and 11th (Overall) among 1B. But who knows, with as terrible as their DH situation was last year, they may be able to find a way to DH him for 60 games or so a year and squeeze another year of catcher production out of him.

I don't think he needs to hit like the best 2 hitting catchers in the game to be "productive" in 4 years. Is he going to be one of the top 1B/DH hitters in the league in 4 years? Certainly not. Will he be worthless? I don't believe so.

How many average DH and 1B are making $17M a year?

[kaldaniels]

I'm not disgusted by the deal, it's what I figured. It's rare when a big name FA gets less $ than what production they are expected to provide.