Sunday, November 24, 2013

Brian McCann says goodbye to Hot'Lanta, signs with the Yankees

No, YOU'RE the man, Brian. (Photo courtesy NYPost.com)
ATLANTA--The New York Yankees are once again in the business of spending money...LOTS of money...to try and win a championship.

The Pinstripes jumped right off the train and signed silver slugger Atlanta catcher Brian McCann to a five-year, $85 million contract. To be fair, the deal is pending a physical, but it's all but sealed. All said and done, the contract does include a possible sixth season, which would push the total upwards of $100 million.

There's even word the deal includes a full no-trade clause.

“[This is] a bittersweet day for him,” McCann’s agent B.B. Abbott told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He has a special place in his heart for Atlanta.”

The Yankees believe McCann's power will fit right into the new Yankee Stadium, with it's shallow porch in right field. He's a career .277 hitter, and has hit at least 20 home runs every year, including 2012-13 after missing the first month of the season due to surgery on his shoulder.

The Braves are at least getting something out of this deal, because they did make a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer to McCann. They will now receive a compensatory pick, somewhere between the first and second rounds, when MLB holds their June draft.

When the best hitting catcher in Braves history leaves Turner Field, Evan Gattis is the number one option still in the dugout. Gerald Laird and Christian Bethancourt are also on the roster.

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