MLB Weekly Digest December 14th Edition: Mets Sign James McCann

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League signing a catcher, a club has hired a new baseball executive, and a team in the American League acquires a starting pitcher and signs an outfielder.

New York Mets Sign Catcher James McCann to Four-Year Deal

The New York Mets have a new catcher, as they have agreed to a deal with James McCann.

The contract is for four years and worth at least $40 million, pending a physical, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

NEWS: James McCann's 4-year deal with the #Mets is now agreed upon pending physical, source confirms. The total guaranteed value will be slightly higher than $40 million once the signing bonus is included. @Ken_Rosenthal was the first to report the news. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2020

The Mets were not the only team trying to sign McCann as the Los Angeles Angels were also trying to add the catcher.

However, the Angels could not offer McCann longer than three years, per Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times.

The potential addition of McCann is an excellent move by the Mets.

He was solid for the White Sox last year by posting a .289 batting average and .896 OPS in 31 games with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.

McCann was productive in the 2019 season for the White Sox by compiling a .273 average and .789 OPS in 118 games with 18 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 26 doubles.

The backstop is also superb behind the plate as pitchers love throwing to him.

He is respected as a leader and improved as a pitch framer last year, per SNY’s Steve Gelbs.

By all accounts, pitchers love throwing to James McCann. He’s respected as a leader, has a great arm & framing numbers greatly improved last yr. He’s coming off the two best offensive seasons of his career, albeit in a part-time role in ‘20. McCann + May is a really nice start.

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) December 12, 2020

The Mets saved a considerable amount of money by choosing to sign McCann instead of going after J.T. Realmuto.

Realmuto would have required the Mets to spend triple what they offered McCann, and the length of the contract would have been longer.

The Mets can use those savings to sign starting pitcher Trevor Bauer or outfielder George Springer potentially.

McCann was a great addition as he will benefit the lineup and help the pitching staff.

Philadelphia Phillies Hire Dave Dombrowski as President of Baseball Operations

The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Dave Dombrowski as their new president of baseball operations, per a team announcement.

The Phillies have hired longtime major league executive David Dombrowski as the club’s first-ever president of baseball operations. pic.twitter.com/8lqlw48Yzt

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 11, 2020

Dombrowski has previously led two MLB franchises to World Series titles in the Boston Red in 2018 and the Florida Marlins in 1997.

He had joined a group in July that was trying to bring an MLB team to Nashville.

The Phillies had been searching for a new president of baseball operations after the 2020 season concluded.

The club’s general manager Matt Klentak stepped down after the team was unsuccessful in making the playoffs for the ninth straight year.

Dombrowski has a history of building teams into winners quickly by dealing from the farm system to acquire talent for the big-league roster and is not afraid to spend money.

The interesting aspect for the Phillies is their farm system is weak, and like many other teams, they are not spending much this offseason due to the pandemic.

Dombrowski will have to get creative to turn the Phillies into a playoff team.

Chicago White Acquire Starting Pitcher Lance Lynn and Sign Outfielder Adam Eaton to One-Year Deal

The Chicago White Sox upgraded their starting rotation last week by acquiring starting pitcher Lance Lynn from the Texas Rangers.

They sent the Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning and left-hander Avery Weems to complete the deal.

pic.twitter.com/FjmGJRpgHk

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 8, 2020

Lynn is entering the final year of the three-year, $30 million deal he signed with the Rangers before the 2019 season.

The right-hander was solid for the Rangers last year as he posted a 3.32 ERA in 84 innings (13 starts) with 89 strikeouts, a 136 ERA+, and a 1.06 WHIP.

Lynn gives the White Sox a strong trio at the top of the rotation, with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel.

The move to acquire Lynn was not the only thing the White Sox did as they signed outfielder Adam Eaton.

Eaton was signed to a one-year, $7-million contract, and it includes a second-year team option worth $8.5 million, per Chuck Garfien of NBC Sports Chicago.

White Sox in agreement with free agent outfielder Adam Eaton, source tells @NBCSChicago. It's a 1-year, $7 million deal with a second year team option for $8.5 million.

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) December 8, 2020

Eaton was previously with the White Sox for three seasons from 2014-16 before being traded to the Washington Nationals.

Eaton’s signing was a good move as he plays solid defense and is an above-average hitter with speed.

The White Sox have had an active offseason and are positioning themselves to be the best team in the American League Central next season.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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