Cincinnati Reds reportedly interested in catcher James McCann

The Cincinnati Reds solely have one catcher on their 40-man roster proper now – Tyler Stephenson. Additionally they misplaced a handful of minor league catchers that had performed in Double-A and Triple-A following the 2024 season. That has put them in a bind the place they should add at the least 4-5 catchers in free company this offseason simply to have sufficient guys to fill out the necessities for early spring coaching when there are 30+ pitchers who must get their work in, a lot much less the necessity to really fill out the rosters in Chattanooga, Louisville, and Cincinnati. Mark Sheldon of Reds.com is reporting that the membership has proven curiosity in free agent James McCann, who has spent elements of 11 seasons within the massive leagues.

The catching place in Main League Baseball is bleak nowadays. There are nowhere close to 30 catchers within the sport who can really each catch and hit at what ought to be a suitable stage for an enormous leaguer.

That brings us to James McCann. He’s spent the final 4 years with the New York Mets (2021-2022) and the Baltimore Orioles (2023-2024) earlier than turning into a free agent after this previous season ended. In these 4 years he’s hit .224/.279/.352 and has not had a season with a .300 on-base proportion since 2020. McCann had season in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox and made the All-Star workforce. Then in 2020 he put up an .896 OPS in 31 video games, ensuing within the Mets signing him to a 4-year deal price $40,600,000. New York, although, traded him to Baltimore in December of 2022 and paid $19,000,000 of his remaining $24,250,000 he had on his deal.

You’ll be able to see the profession stats for James McCann right here.

Catcher isn’t a spot that groups actually have a look at for offensive manufacturing. It’s seen as a bonus quite than a requirement. But it surely additionally feels just like the place is on the extremes – both you’re a catcher who can hit effectively or you’re a catcher who can’t hit in any respect. In 2024 there have been 35 catchers who acquired at the least 250 plate appearances. 17 of these catchers had an OPS over .700. 13 of them had an OPS of .650 or decrease. 14 from that group had an on-base proportion beneath .300. 12 have been beneath the .290 on-base proportion mark.

Cincinnati has to seek out somebody to again up Tyler Stephenson for 2025 as a result of proper now there simply isn’t an inside choice to have a look at. However on condition that, they actually need Stephenson to stay wholesome in the event that they wish to get any form of manufacturing from the place on an offensive stage.