McCann gone for 5/85 Million

[twinscowboysbulls]

I don't think anyone was hoping for McCann to be a Twin, but do you think it could've worked out?

 

Would've solidified our catching spot for a long time for 17 million a year. It would've given Pinto another full year in the minors and allowed us to really slow play him and develop his catching skills. It also would've made us a lot more competitive. When Pinto was ready, could've easily shared time between the two catching and DH'ing.

 

Adds 17 million to payroll and likely takes away our opportunity to sign a Matt Garza, but still could've added a couple Arroyo or Kazmirs. Just something fun to think about. Kudos to the Yankees for going and getting him.

[beckmt]

Not on the Twins radar. Shows how prices are going up, and expect pitching will be expensive. Also shows the Yankees do not expect to pay A-Rods salary next year.

[DocBauer]

Love McCann and would love to have him. Bu believe a veteran such as AJ and the money freed for SP and a bench bat is better spent. Veteran C helps Pinto grow as well.

[Kwak]

That 17 X 5 would be far better spent on Garza. The Twins have two fundamental needs: quality starting pitching and credibility about building a championship winner. Signing McCann would accomplish neither. Garza comes the closest of those player who could possibly be signed by the Twins this year. Some free agents--well, we need to face reality that "he" ain't comin' here.

[AllhopeisgoneMNTWINS]

Not on the Twins radar. Shows how prices are going up, and expect pitching will be expensive. Also shows the Yankees do not expect to pay A-Rods salary next year.

 

The Yankees also had a lot of contracts come off the books. I dont think it has anything to do with AROD.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

McCann isn't really worth the contract he got. 17 million a year for a player that has produced 5.6 bWAR over the past 3 years doesn't scream huge deal to me. I don't think he's a top 5 catcher anymore, and past his prime, he won't either. The Yankees have lots of money to spend and needed a catcher. It's not a bad move for them. It would be bad if that team was below the super spenders (NYY,NYM,BOS,LAD,LAA) in payroll.

[Seth Stohs]

So, likely he'll be catching most of the time for the next two years and then need to DH. Not sure that's a wise investment for the Twins. Definitely the money would be more wisely spent on starting pitching.

[Bark's Lounge]

I like McCann and I am sure most do. As we all know the Twins have bigger fish to fry. The greatest attribute McCann could bring to the Twins is leadership and the fire as a player he possesses... and that is no insult to his offense or defense. With Pinto seemingly being a guy who could step into the catcher position sooner than later, the Twins would be better served signing a veteran on a one year deal (hopefully Pierzynski), who can play 50% or more of the time and help ease the Pinto transition.

 

In a perfect world the Twins could sign McCann and add a couple halfway decent starting pitchers as that is what is on the market this year.

 

It is not a perfect world and I suspect the Twins, in order to win a world series are going to have to have things break their way to an almost perfect degree. I think it can happen, as that is how I view the 1987 and 1991 teams. Sure times have changed, but baseball works in mysterious ways.

 

The mission should be to sign a couple of quality starting pitchers.

 

Let's get these deep knife wounds tended to and stitched up before we worry about putting band-aids on our scrapes and bruises.

[kab21]

If the Twins signed McCann then they would be in the same situation as Mauer this offseason (needing to move from) well before the end of the contract.

 

If the Twins spend big on a non-pitcher this year (which they won't) it should be for an OF'er. Regardless of the Twins OF prospect depth that is where the FA offensive talent is.

[PseudoSABR]

The I miss how long can he catch signing. I like it.

[beckmt]

The Yankees also had a lot of contracts come off the books. I dont think it has anything to do with AROD.

Unless the Yankees have written off Cano, their biggest issue is going to be avoiding the luxury tax next year. They still need 1-2 starting pitchers and Cano. That is a lot of money.

[John Bonnes]

It also shows just how desperately the Yankees have been to add a catcher who is worth a damn the last few years. It would have been interesting (and depressing) to see the bidding war that would have gone on between the Bombers and Red Sox had Mauer been a free agent following 2010.

 

It also shows the one advantage of a very long term expensive signing. Eventually the prices come up to make it look a lot more reasonable.

[jorgenswest]

The Yankees had a great catcher in 2012. Since Girardi, defense has been the top priority at catcher. Molina gives Girardi and Pena credit for recognizing and perfecting his technique? In McCann, they get the best available of both sides. WAR doesn't compute his value on defense, but that value exists. The best signing of the offseason last year was Russell Martin. This year it could be McCann.

 

Cashman said the Yankess would absolutely tender Cervelli. Is that still true with the signing of McCann? The Twins could use Cervelli's skill and knowledge of the catcher position on the roster.

[Spicoli]

A lot of people seem to not understand the concept of building a team. Yes McCann is 29 and may only catch for several more years, and yes he got paid a lot of money. But you cant find a 22 year old star catcher for 5mil a year in the FA market. You just cant. You pay for the players that will help your team. The Twins payroll next season will be like 40mil? If it were to start today. Several years ago it was 110mil. We have the money to become better but the owners don't want to spend money. Until we get baseball owners instead of business owners we wont be good.

 

I mean heck they could even take note from the Wild. Last season they signed Parise and Suter and traded for Pominville. Suter came in 2nd for Norris and should of won. Parise is a top 15 player in the league and leads the team in points. And Pominville is tied for 4th in goals this year. They made the playoffs for the first time in awhile last year and are having an amazing season this year(on pace for 116 points). And they did it all in FA and Trades. People said they overpaid Suter and Parise, but now it looks like they made an amazing decision. Same with Pominville, they gave up good prospects but its paying off. You HAVE to take risks and spend money to become a good team.

[Brock Beauchamp]

So, likely he'll be catching most of the time for the next two years and then need to DH. Not sure that's a wise investment for the Twins. Definitely the money would be more wisely spent on starting pitching.

 

This.

[kab21]

A lot of people seem to not understand the concept of building a team. Yes McCann is 29 and may only catch for several more years, and yes he got paid a lot of money. But you cant find a 22 year old star catcher for 5mil a year in the FA market. You just cant. You pay for the players that will help your team. The Twins payroll next season will be like 40mil? If it were to start today. Several years ago it was 110mil. We have the money to become better but the owners don't want to spend money. Until we get baseball owners instead of business owners we wont be good.

 

I mean heck they could even take note from the Wild. Last season they signed Parise and Suter and traded for Pominville. Suter came in 2nd for Norris and should of won. Parise is a top 15 player in the league and leads the team in points. And Pominville is tied for 4th in goals this year. They made the playoffs for the first time in awhile last year and are having an amazing season this year(on pace for 116 points). And they did it all in FA and Trades. People said they overpaid Suter and Parise, but now it looks like they made an amazing decision. Same with Pominville, they gave up good prospects but its paying off. You HAVE to take risks and spend money to become a good team.

 

You have to spend money wisely to be a good team. McCann is not wisely spent money for a rebuilding team. Perhaps this contract could be justified if a team was looking for one player to put them over the top but that definitely is not the Twins. Almost every other soon to be well paid FA makes more sense for the Twins.

[DaveW]

I like McCann a lot, but he wasn't a fit for the Twins. I am all about giving out some large contracts, but if the Twins are going to be giving out 5 years to a player, it needs to be a high upside pitcher. (or a SS-which won't happen anytime soon)