Agent: Brian McCann Respects Yankees, Has Team On Radar
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- No secret here: the New York Yankees need an upgrade at catcher.
Seven-time All-Star Brian McCann would fit the bill -- and it seems he's interested. McCann's agent, B.B. Abbott, told the New York Daily News that the Atlanta Braves free agent has New York on his "radar."
"How could it not be? You've got an historic franchise and a great park, knowledgeable fans and a chance to win, which is what every guy plays the game for," Abbott told the paper Monday. "From Brian's standpoint, it would be an attractive place to listen to."
It's not just about the Bronx mystique. Abbott said McCann also likes "the way the Yankees handle themselves."
He has "a lot of respect for Derek Jeter," Abbott told the Daily News. "He respects the Yankee organization."
Abbott said McCann has drawn interest from "multiple teams." A return to the Braves, who extended the catcher a qualifying offer Monday, is also on the table.
The 29-year-old has a career .277 average with 176 home runs. He batted .256 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs in 2013.
The Yankees struggled to find any pop at catcher last season. Chris Stewart hit .211 with four home runs and 25 RBIs in 109 games.
The Yankees gave one-year, $14.1-million qualifying offers to three players on Monday: second baseman Robinson Cano, outfielder Curtis Granderson and starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.
Each player has until Nov. 11 to decide if he wants to accept the offer. If the qualifying offer is declined by a player, that player can still re-sign with the team that extended the offer. However, if a player who received an offer signs with another team, the team that extended the qualifying offer receives a compensatory pick in the MLB Draft.
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