Diamondbacks Re-Sign Catcher James McCann: A Strategic Move
The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced the re-signing of veteran catcher James McCann to a one-year deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This move comes after McCann’s impressive performance with the team, surpassing the expectations of his minor league contract. The deal is worth $2.75MM with an additional $500K in bonuses, contingent on his active roster time, as reported by Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic and MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.
McCann’s journey to the Diamondbacks began with a non-roster deal with the Atlanta Braves, where he spent the initial months of the season with their top affiliate in Gwinnett. His contract included a unique clause, allowing him to automatically join the big league roster if a team was willing to add him. This opportunity presented itself when Gabriel Moreno suffered a right index finger injury in June.
Initially, McCann was signed to back up Jose Herrera while Moreno was sidelined. However, McCann’s early success on the field quickly elevated him to the top of the depth chart. In his first nine games with the Diamondbacks, he recorded nine hits, including two home runs, and six walks. Despite a slight dip in production in the latter part of the season, McCann still managed to post a respectable .260/.324/.431 batting line in 42 games.
With Moreno’s return in August, the Diamondbacks made a strategic decision to keep McCann as Moreno’s backup for the final five weeks of the season. This move solidified McCann’s role as a reliable catcher for the team. Adrian Del Castillo, the only other listed catcher on the 40-man roster, is considered more of an emergency option, with a focus on his bat rather than his glove. McCann’s defensive capabilities, while not exceptional, are considered competent, and he has been highly regarded for his work with pitchers.
The Diamondbacks’ full 40-man roster is currently intact, but the team is expected to finalize the contract after the non-tender deadline. This move brings their projected payroll to $145MM, pending arbitration decisions. The team may consider dropping players like Kevin Ginkel, Jake McCarthy, Ryan Thompson, or the rehabbing A.J. Puk to make room for McCann’s contract. Despite the potential changes, McCann’s re-signing is a strategic move that reinforces the team’s depth and experience behind the plate.