The Reds have interest in veteran catcher James McCann, per a report from MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. McCann has also received interest from the Orioles and Red Sox, though Baltimore’s recent deal with Gary Sanchez seemingly closes the door on a reunion.
McCann, 34, was a starting-caliber catcher with the Tigers and White Sox earlier in his career but has settled into a backup role in recent years with the Mets and Orioles. Since the start of the 2022 season, McCann has appeared in 195 combined games with 650 plate appearances total while slashing .218/.269/.353, which was good for a 75 wRC+ during that time. While McCann posted solid defensive numbers in terms of both framing and throwing out runners earlier in his career, his defense has taken a step back since then. During his time in Baltimore, Statcast rated McCann as a below-average defensive catcher overall, with average marks (0 CS Above Average) for throwing out runners but lackluster marks in terms of blocking (-12 Blocks Above Average) and pitch framing (-5 Framing Runs).
While McCann isn’t an impact player on either side of the ball at this stage of his career, he’d certainly be an upgrade over Cincinnati’s internal options for a back-up catcher, which include non-roster invitee Alex Jackson and Triple-A youngster Eric Yang. Jackson hit just .122/.201/.237 in 58 games with the Rays last year, while Yang has exactly one plate appearance in the big leagues after making his debut in 2024 and posted an 85 wRC+ at Triple-A this past season. McCann’s veteran stability could raise the floor at the catcher position behind starter Tyler Stephenson while providing leadership off the bench for an extremely young Cincinnati offense.
Previous reporting this winter suggested that McCann could look to land a multi-year guarantee this winter. While it’s unclear if the Reds would have interest in making a longer-term commitment of that sort to McCann, it’s worth noting that the recent trends of the catching market suggest he may need to settle for a one-year offer anyway, as more well-regarded players like Sanchez and Jacob Stallings have settled on one-year arrangements so far this winter. The only two-year pact given to a free agent catcher to this point in the winter so far has been for Kyle Higashioka, who entered free agency on the heels of a career year that saw him swat 17 homers in just 263 plate appearances. If the Reds explore other options for a veteran back-up this winter, Elias Diaz and Yasmani Grandal are among the more interesting options still available.
Sox need a backup more than ever now that they dealt Teel for Crochet. McCann would be nice to pair with Wong but i could see the Reds getting him as well
Backup catcher shouldn’t be too high on their list of needs right now. They’ll be dozens of similar guys available between now and camp. Plus, Teel looked pretty meh both at the plate and behind it in his [albeit limited] AAA time last year, so I’m not sure how much they’d have relied on him to have any significant impact on the big club in 2025.
The Reds always (and I mean always) get outbid. Even for crappy players like McCann. He will be a Red Sox.
Don’t they still have Reese?
Tyler can’t catch all 162.
I’d rather have Diaz…or maybe Grandal.
I doubt they will pay the freight for anyone though. We’ll probably have to live with the.140 hitter.
If that’s what happens, they should have just kept Maile. He’s cheap, local, experienced, and knows the pitchers already. I’m less worried about an offensive hole in the lineup one day a week, and more worried about injuries and having someone who can step in and keep the pitching staff stable over an extended period. Backup catchers are like backup QBs, the least important guy on the team until they become the most important guy on the team. Game manager is fine (in both cases) but they better be able to manage the heck out of it.
Yes, if McCann requires monetary compensation he will not likely wind up in Cincinnati. Now, if he is looking for a volunteer assignment and is not opposed to paying for his own laundry, then they might be able to work something out.
You’d rather have a fake market where Cincy is able to keep up with profits from other teams. Move the reds to Nashville. You guys can’t compete with the rest of MLB
I’d prefer Elias Diaz since he’s a better defender, but whatever, I guess. Catcher is one of the most difficult positions to fill for practically every team.
Look at Alex Jackson’s slash line and you will see why getting a decent Catcher is important
I would prefer Diaz as well but I doubt it happens
Bidding war! Reds vs Red Sox for James McCann. It’s like watching a couple of hobos fight over a rotisserie chicken.
The Sox might be cheap for a large market team, but the Reds are a whole new level of cheapness. If the Reds doubled their payroll, they would still be under the luxury tax.
Very true!
How many weeks have you been following MLB?
Ever watch any games?
Ever play the sport?
When’s your rotisserie league draft?
What are the length and girth of the stick up your ass?
Someone will overpay McCann (and probably Diaz). Give me Grandal.
The Reds need a starting corner OFr more than a backup catcher.
Grandel is a terrible catcher.
Backup catchers are primarily there to work with the pitching staff and play D.
If hobos were world class athletes and a rotisserie chicken cost millions of dollars…
My god, excuse me for stumbling into the most humorless comments board on the internet.
Go outside, dude. Get some fresh air. Appreciate the natural beauty of something. Learn to laugh at a joke.
You are way too online if you feel the need to get ornery over someone making a flippant comment over a backup catcher’s free agency.
And by the way, the hobos would be Henry and Castellini. McCann would be the chicken. At least interpret the joke correctly if you’re gonna get pissy about it.
Big spenders. How much of this money is from NY and LA? Get rid of Major League Baseball in Ohio! They literally can’t compete with big markets
McCann’s career is in the can.
I’d rather try some prospect who hasn’t even played in AAA than McCann.
Bring Maile back before McCann even.
What’s Joe Oliver up to these days?
Bring Bench out of retirement?