Well, it’s not the free agent signing White Sox have been waiting for, but White Sox GM Rick Hahn said the team was going to be active in the free agent market to get help behind the plate and it looks like they have their new backup catcher.
Jeff Passan is reporting that the White Sox have agreed to a deal with James McCann.
Catcher James McCann and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a deal, pending a physical, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 14, 2018
McCann first made his MLB debut with the Tigers back in 2014, and after getting a dose of the big leagues he settled into more playing time in Detroit. He’s started at least 96 games in each of the last four seasons, but his offensive numbers certainly won’t jump off the page.
The right-handed hitter has a career slash line of .240/.288/.366, and in 2018 McCann posted a .581 OPS, which was a career low.
James Mccann gets 2.5M #chisox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2018
I mean, I guess he’s fine as a backup and McCann does have a decent arm, throwing out 36.8% of runners attempting to steal a base, but his pitch framing isn’t great.
Welington Castillo is currently the starting catcher for the White Sox, but the team has reportedly had interest in free agent Yasmani Grandal. However, with the signing of McCann it appears the team shifted its focus.
Castillo was suspended for PED use in 2018, which limited his playing time to only 49 games. He had a .710 OPS in 170 at bats.
Earlier in the offseason the White Sox traded catcher Omar Narvaez to the Mariners for reliever and potential closer Alex Colome.
