Another major free agent dropped off of the board tonight as long-time Phillies foe Brian McCann agreed to a new deal. The 29 year-old McCann has agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with the New York Yankees, according to numerous reports. Thus, a long-time Phillie killer will be out of the division and out of the league in 2014.
The Yankees were without an impact catcher after letting Russell Martin go to free agency and trading catcher Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher Michael Piñeda prior to the 2013 season.
McCann has spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves since making his Major League Debut in 2005. He has hit .277 in 1105 Major League games, amassing 176 home runs and 661 RBI. The catching duties could go mostly to 2013 rookie Evan Gattis, who hit 21 home runs and drove in 65 runs. Gattis comes with a strong bat, but is considered suspect defensively. Despite the presence of Gattis, the N.L. East just got a bit easier for the Phillies.
