The New York Mets freed up some space on their crowded catchers depth chart Wednesday, trading James McCann to the Baltimore Orioles.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke news of the trade, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Mets will receive a player to be named later.
Catcher James McCann has been traded from the New York Mets to the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2022
McCann has two years and $24 million left on his contract. The Orioles will assume $5 million of the contract, per source. https://t.co/thrSugcRaX
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 22, 2022
The 32-year-old McCann, an All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, slashed .195/.257/.282 with a dreadful 55 OPS+ in 174 at-bats last season in New York.
The trade helps the Orioles, as young star Adley Rutschman needs a break now and then behind the plate. Additionally, the Orioles “believe [McCann] was unlucky with his results” in 2022, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Orioles see McCann as a No. 2 catcher who will take load off Rutschman, DH against certain LHPs and perhaps even play some 1B. They believe he was unlucky with his results last season. Had expected BA of .240 and SLG of .414. Actual numbers were .195 and .282.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2022
But the move really benefits the Mets, who had been stacking up talented catchers on their 40-man roster like a kid collecting baseball cards. McCann’s trade clears up some salary room. McCann has two years and $24 million remaining on his contract, and Feinsand reports the Orioles will eat $5 million of that.
More importantly, the move clarifies the Mets depth chart. Rookie Francisco Álvarez, the No. 1 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, is expected to be ready to contribute in 2023. Omar Narváez, an All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 who signed a one-year free agent deal with the Mets last week, is on hand, along with Tomás Nido, who logged the most starts behind the plate for New York last season.
