Yankees Sign Brian McCann

The Yankees made the big news of the day by signing free agent catcher Brian McCann. The deal is worth $85 Million over 5 years with a vesting option for a 6th year $15 Million. McCann was the best catching option on the free agent market and the Yankees needed to improve their catching depth the most. The two were a match made in heaven for one another.

How does McCann look in a Yankee uniform? 

McCann will probably find success in New York. McCann has played at least 100 games in every season of his career and at least 120 games in all seasons except 2013. Health hasn't been much of an issue for McCann, but may become one as his contract continues. McCann will be 30 years old in late February and 35 years old when the contract is completed, so the transition to the American League will benefit McCann given that he can DH on occasion.

Of course McCann will not only be heading to the American League, but Yankee Stadium, the left handed hitter's Heaven. The heavy hitting catcher has hit at least 20 home runs every year since 2006 except 2007 where he hit 18, over those 8 seasons McCann has average 131 games played, .277 avg, .350 OBP, 21 home runs, and 80 RBI. His numbers have dropped the past 2 seasons only reaching a .230/.300/.399 and .256/.336/.461 slashline in 2012 and 2013 respectively. It seems as if McCann is trending back in the direction of his career average after his terrible 2012 campaign. Since he will be playing in Yankee Stadium, you can expect at least a 20% increase in his power numbers. Meaning since he has an average of 21 homers and 80 RBIs per season, you can expect McCann to hit close to 25 home runs and drive in 96 RBIs in 2014.

The Yankees will have McCann until he is 35 years old, which is after his prime. McCann will have to maintain roughly an average WAR of 3.0 in order for the contract to be worth it in the end, but one can only consider that in 2019. McCann is very capable of making a big impact for the New York Yankees, and you can expect big things from him in 2014.