Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 waiver deadline players who could get moved

By John Buhler

May 3, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Jun 9, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

. C. New York Yankees. Brian McCann. 1. player. 43

Though still hovering around .500 for seemingly unknown reasons, the New York Yankees have not been a well-run organization since the passing of longtime owner George Steinbrenner a few years back. Some of the contracts general manager Brian Cashman has had to deal out on the behalf of the Steinbrenner children have been completely head-scratching.

One of the biggest free agency culprits for the Yankees in recent years has been the addition of former Atlanta Braves backstop Brian McCann. McCann was a seven-time All-Star in nine seasons with his hometown Braves. In three years with the Yankees, he’s been hovering around .230 at the plate. In 2006, he finished second in the National League for the batting title hitting .333.

McCann is still a valuable commodity as a power-hitting catcher that can manage a staff and groom young pitchers. The problem is that his contract with the Yankees is now viewed as somewhat of an albatross. He has two more years left on his Yankees’ deal worth $17 million annually.

Next: MLB Power Rankings: Post Trade Deadline edition

Though he technically has a team option for the 2019 MLB season, the Yankees would love to get McCann’s contract off their books should they inevitably fade in the coming weeks out of serious postseason contention.

Given that McCann plays the immensely valuable position of catcher, he could be claimed by anyone of the 29 other teams should the Yankees decide to trade him via the waiver wire. It might make more sense for him to go to a doormat of a team (i.e. Atlanta) and help bring along young staffs than to go to a legitimate World Series contender.

If the Yankees can get someone willing to eat that $17 million for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017, McCann will be playing for a new team before season’s end.

For more MLB trade rumors, please check out our MLB trade rumors page.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors