The Detroit Tigers let catcher James McCann hit the open market last year which may have been a mistake. The Tigers could have used McCann as an investment for this year’s trade deadline which has come and gone.
Last off-season, the Detroit Tigers saw names like James McCann, Jose Iglesias, Jim Adduci, Francisco Liriano, Dixon Machado, and Alex Wilson all see free agency. The guys the Tigers brought in this season as investments simply didn’t work out, they all are injured or not performing well at all. But that’s how it works with guys like Tyson Ross, Matt Moore, Jordy Mercer, and Josh Harrison; they’re investments.
Before continuing about the Tigers blunders of the 2018 offseason, expanding on what an investment in baseball means is crucial. First and foremost, baseball is a business; all players are investments of some sorts. Look at the service time manipulations with players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays front office, gaining an extra year of control by keeping him in the minors for the beginning of the season.
Investments can be broken down differently, but for the sake of this piece, it’s a short-term contract on a mediocre player that could have a good season and ultimately be traded at the deadline. An example of this working out would be Mike Fiers with the Detroit Tigers last season, who performed very well and was then traded to the Oakland Athletics. Eric Sogard of the Tampa Bay Rays was an investment by the Blue Jays who gave them some return on a player they do not value towards their future.
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McCann was no all-star catcher, not a great offensive producer…oh wait; he was an all-star this year. On an American League Central rivals team, McCann has had his best season earning him the 2019 All-Star Game nomination.
Not only has he improved offensively but his defensive numbers have not faltered either throwing out 36% of the runners who have attempted to steal against him this season. McCann’s .278/.333/.452 slash line with twelve home runs and thirty-three RBI have been great for a Chicago White Sox team that is finally piecing things together, hoping to compete again soon.
For a player who is on a one-year contract for $2.5 million with arbitration-eligible for next season, it sure seems like the Tigers missed out on a good signing. McCann was a fabulous clubhouse presence for the Tigers but in terms of the on-field production which seems to cloud most people’s minds. McCann would be better than what the Tigers have thrown together. With Bobby Wilson, Grayson Greiner, and John Hicks as the Tigers backstops there’s not much there In terms of trade value.
Playing the hypothetical game, the Tigers spent $555,000 on Bobby Wilson. John Hicks makes JUST north of that number and Greiner is on his entry-contract still. If the Tigers allotted that $555,000 as well as $2 million in additional revenue into a McCann contract, how much do things change?
First and foremost, McCann may or may not have the same season, providing he does, he becomes another trade piece at the deadline. The Houston Astros acquired Martin Maldonado from the Chicago Cubs, but who’s to say they don’t target McCann in a package with Matt Boyd?
Having Justin Verlander and Matt Boyd already comfortable with throwing to McCann would only help a staff who thrives when the backstop is someone who receives the ball well. The most significant change may be Jake Rogers.
He may not get called up if the Detroit Tigers don’t deal McCann, which should be okay in the eyes of Tigers fans. Rogers is a bit behind in terms of his hitting tool. This would allow him to get his hitting up to speed at the Triple-A level when September rolls around to call him up to platoon with McCann.
All of that sounds great but, back to reality. McCann now wears number 33 and suits up for the White Sox, most likely going to be there another year based on the numbers he has put up for them. The Detroit Tigers are hoping Jake Rogers can be dominant in an MLB uniform and become their catcher of the future. Currently, on his first trial run with the big league club, he has a lot to prove.