Brian McCann will likely be one of the most sought after free agents in 2014. However, the Atlanta Braves are awaye of this and as a result, the will call up catching prospect, Christian Bethancourt to the majors, where he will make his MLB debut. Ultimately, as Braves' beat writer Mark Bowman believes, McCann will walk to another organization, leaving Bethancourt and Evan Gattis as the top candidates to take over the job.
The Braves have apparently seen enough from Gattis to believe that the 27-year-old has what it takes on both sides of the ball. In his first year, Gattis has collected 18 home runs and 50 RBI in 85 games played this season. Gattis was injured for some time after May, which caused the brawny rookie to miss a couple of games. Further, after McCann's return to the Braves lineup, Fredi Gonzalez had issues finding Gattis consistent playing time. However, as McCann is primed for departure, the 2014 Braves seem to have plenty of space for Gattis and Bethancourt.
Bethancourt has been in the Braves organization since 2008. Braves fans have heard his name over and over again, but the 22-year-old never received a chance to play at the major league level. McCann owned the position almost immediately after stepping into the big leagues. In Bethancourt, the Braves receive a catcher that's developing into a power hitter. In 2013, Bethancourt hit 12 home runs, twice as many as he ever hit in a single season, while driving in 45 runs. There is still plenty for Bethancourt to learn, but it's not a bad idea to allow the youngster to finally get a taste of the majors.
Both Gattis and Bethancourt will have great shoes to fill as McCann became a part of the Braves' backbone on offense, not to mention how quickly he adapted to catching at the major league level. After playing 59 games in 2005, McCann exploded on to the scene in 2006, smacking 24 home runs, driving in 93 RBI all while posting a .333 batting average. He is a seven-time All-Star and five-time silver slugger.
Who will go after McCann? That awaits to be scene. The New York Yankees could usually use the help of a savvy backstop like McCann and they seem to be making room in their payroll that would allow them to splurge of free agent players.
