clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Fantasy Impact of Brian McCann signing with the Yankees

Ray discusses the fantasy impact of Brian McCann signing with the Yankees. His owners will like what he has to say.

By Ray Guilfoyle
Daniel Shirey

Last night, we got word that the Yankees had signed free agent catcher Brian McCann to a five year, $85 million deal, with an option for a sixth year that would bring the total value of the contract to $100 million. Nice job by McCann's agent to get him a bigger contract that Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

I think this is just the start of a big offseason for the Yankees, as they have a lot of money coming off the books this offseason. I think their next target this offseason will be either Robinson Cano or Carlos Beltran. I wrote yesterday about the possibility that the Mariners could be in on the Cano sweepstakes this offseason, but many think he will eventually sign with the Yankees, as there aren't too many teams that can pay Cano what he wants this offseason.

The McCann signing is excellent for fantasy owners as McCann will be moving from Turner Field in Atlanta that, according to Stats Corner, had a 101 HR factor for left handed hitters, to Yankees Stadium, which had a 116 HR factor for left handed hitters in 2013.

According to ESPN's ball park factors, Yankee Stadium increased run production by 9% and home runs by 13% in 2013, while Turner Field depressed runs scoring by 4% and home runs by 7%, so we should see an increase in home runs from McCann in 2013.

We don't know what the Yankees lineup will look like in 2014, as Cano may or may not sign with the team, Alex Rodriguez will more than likely be suspended, Curtis Granderson is a free agent, and we don't know how Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira will bounce back from their injuries. So there are a plenty of questions marks with the Yankees lineup at this point in the offseason, but we should know more as spring training approaches.

Update: This signing also impacts the future of catching prospects Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy. One would think the Yankees will look to deal one or both of their catching prospects to upgrade their big league roster. Then again, McCann could eventually move to first base once Mark Teixeira's contract is up in three years. McCann is also a candidate to DH for the Yankees down the road. ESPN's Buster Olney opined yesterday that after the theatrics from Alex Rodriguez lately, that he has played his last game in Yankee pinstripes, so McCann could fill in as the Yankees DH once one of their catching prospects is ready to contribute at the major league level.

I ranked McCann as my 6th ranked fantasy catcher after the news that Joe Mauer was moving to first base on a full time basis. With McCann now in Yankee pinstripes, I may move him up to my #1 fantasy catcher for 2014, just ahead of Giants catcher Buster Posey. Yeah, I love the signing for his fantasy owners.

I could see McCann approaching 30 home runs in 2014, which is huge from the catcher position.

What do Fake Teams readers think about the McCann signing and my #1 fantasy catcher tag on him?

Let us know by voting in the poll and comments below.

More from Fake Teams: