Seven-time All Star, Brian McCann, is going to be in a weird situation come the trade deadline. His contract with the Atlanta Braves will be coming to an end at season's finish and a lot of teams seem highly interested in the plate-disciplined catcher. The chances of McCann being a Brave were low before the season started and now with the new found glory of Evan Gattis, the chance of the Braves keeping B-Mac is slowly dropping. This bears the question, “Should the Braves trade McCann now, while they can still get something for him?”
This is a very tricky question because of how well Mac has been doing this season. The Braves don’t want to get rid of him because he could be a centerpiece in a deep playoff run. On the other hand, if they ride out this season with him they are most likely not going to get anything in return. If he stays in Atlanta through 2013 this article would end here but lets say that he does get traded. That’s where I come in as below are a few teams that could be good trade suitors for the veteran catcher.
1. Boston Red Sox
It’s no secret that the Braves like to give up all of their catchers to the Bo Sox. In the past, the Braves have parted ways with names like Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross, both of which went to Boston. This team would add a big piece to their offense with Silver Slugger Mac in the lineup. They also have catchers who are at the end of their time with the Sox, almost guaranteeing that McCann would sign a big deal with them over the next offseason. This team has the best record in baseball and adding B-Mac would only make this team an even bigger favorite to win it all. This trade seems perfect in favor of the Red Soxs and for the Braves as they have Gattis who could be a great big league hitter for a long time to come.
2. Oakland Athletics
The A’s continue to prove everyone in baseball wrong and all they do is win. If they could get McCann in a trade within the next few weeks they would put another lethal bat into their already potent lineup. The only problem with trading for Mac is that they would have to most likely give up a bullpen arm and the Braves are going to want a lot for this guy. The only other problem is if they want to sign him after the 2013 season. There is going to be a lot of teams bidding for him and is all reality the A’s would get out bidded by a bigger market. Say this trade does happen though, this would fill a huge hole in their lineup as John Jaso is not horrible but he is no Mac.
3. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have a lot of money to throw around and would most likely love going after a big name catcher. Imagine having Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Brian McCann all in the same lineup! That would be huge for this team as they are very weak at the catcher spot to begin with. As with the Red Sox, this club would likely try and sign him beyond the 2013 season and make him a halo for at least four seasons.
In reality the Atlanta Braves will most likely not trade Mac as he is a big piece to this ball club and an even bigger influence in the clubhouse. The Braves feel like they have a World Series caliber team and even if they only have the All Star catcher for the second half of 2013 they are going to make the best out of it and try and help him and him likewise, bring a ring back to Atlanta.