As expected, the Atlanta Braves and Brian McCann will try to work a deal that will keep the catcher in his home state. MLB Rumros have the Braves making a qualifying offer. How much is it worth? Will McCann stick around for another year?
The qualifying offer the Braves are making is worth $14.1 miilion. It is a $2.1 million increase from his salary in 2013. However, it would probably be about a million dollars short of what he could start earning if he signs a deal elsewhere.
All over baseball, McCann is a big deal. He is a power-hitting catcher and though he has suffered many injuries in his career, the 30-year-old manages to stay in the lineup, making solid contributions. Behind the plate, McCann will call great games. However, preventing base runners from advancing is not quite his forte. In 2011, he allowed 104 stolen bases, followed by 76 in 2012. This past season in 92 games behind the plate, McCann only caught 24 percent of his runners (15/47). The number decreases year after year because McCann has played less games every year.
However, his power at the plate and ability to mesh well with a pitching rotation offset McCann's deficiencies when it comes to base stealers. McCann has hit 20 home runs or more in seven of his nine seasons in the majors, six of which have come in consecutive fashion. This season, he only played 102 games, but he still finished with 20 home runs. He does not strikeout much, which explains why his on-base percentage is above average, (.350 career OBP, .277 BA).
The reason why McCann could accept the Braves' qualifying offer is because they are his hometown club. He makes his home in Georgia and has his ties to the state. It would make sense for McCann to want to remain at least one more year with the Braves, but that would be an emotional decision.
The other thing McCann could do is leave the qualifying offer and walk straight into the free agent market, where at minimum, he would be offered a five-year deal worth $80 million. Not only would the Braves' deal fall a couple of bucks short, but it would not guarantee the catcher anything beyond the 2014 season.
The Braves are a not big spenders. This is widely known around baseball. They made huge strides by signing B.J. Upton and taking on his brother's salary. They also have two years of Dan Uggla's 5-year, $62 million deal remaining. Add a young Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward to the Braves' fture and these are guys the organization will have to sign for the long term. McCann deserves respect from the franchise, explaining the qualifying offer, but in reality, McCann does not fit their budget anymore.
