Brian McCann

[Tino25Dynasty]

BJ's contract has nothing to do with this, quit bitching.

They could of kept him if they wanted too but they didnt make much effort to sign him.

They didn't want to tie themselves up with another Uggla or BJ contract so were much less aggressive in signing McCann so yes, you better believe that BJ contact played a part... No directly obviously but indirectly.

[Heyward]

They didn't want to tie themselves up with another Uggla or BJ contract so were much less aggressive in signing McCann so yes, you better believe that BJ contact played a part... No directly obviously but indirectly.

Uggla's contract is off the books in 2 years.

Again, BJ's deal has NOTHING to do with Mac.

If they wanted him, they would of offered him a big deal and tried to bring him back which they didn't.

The BJ/Uggla deals have no impact on Mac, the writing has been on the wall for the last 2 years.

[Knucksie]

What are you guys debating about?

They wouldn't have minded having McCann back, but not on a 5-year deal. We've been discussing the "aging catcher" issue enough here already. It was little doubt that he was going to head over the AL, where he could eventually DH in the latter years of the contract.

[NYCBrave]

Mac has also been unlucky in BABIP so that's why his batting average has been down. His homerun rate has stayed pretty consistent which obviously isn't influenced by BABIP. As for playing with the Yankees. I see him getting to 30 homers easily due to the fact that Yankee Stadium is a homerun haven for lefties and Mac will be able to DH when he's not catching so he should get more ABs now.

But why has he been unlucky with BABIP? It's because since they employed the shift on him, it takes away a lot of balls that would be hits. I don't think that's factored in when you look at BABIP.

[50PoundHead]

Liberty is thrifty, but not cheap.

Given most of Wren's free agent signings, I'd say the team has been anything but thrifty. Wren's been buying what they sell at the dollar store for twice/three times the price.

It's their team. They can do what they want. To me, outside of the big contracts we've doled out, we're starting to look like the late-90s/early-00s A's teams in that we're just training players for other markets. That can work if you have a steady stream of replacements and that's what we'll have to rely upon.

[thethe]

Given most of Wren's free agent signings, I'd say the team has been anything but thrifty. Wren's been buying what they sell at the dollar store for twice/three times the price.

It's their team. They can do what they want. To me, outside of the big contracts we've doled out, we're starting to look like the late-90s/early-00s A's teams in that we're just training players for other markets. That can work if you have a steady stream of replacements and that's what we'll have to rely upon.

Hopefully now with all the slotting rules for both the first year player draft and international market that teams like hte Braves can continue to build the right way.

[Hawk]

Given most of Wren's free agent signings, I'd say the team has been anything but thrifty. Wren's been buying what they sell at the dollar store for twice/three times the price.

Thrifty in the sense that they spend their money carefully. But that doesn't mean it isn't there for spending.

Yes, Wren has overpaid, but not exorbitantly relative to market value. The Phillies offered 5/55 for Upton with no-trade and escalation clauses. The Mets reportedly offered 3/36 for Lowe. The Uggla extension had the potential to be decent (and even in its current state isn't exactly blunting us into oblivion.)

Compared to how other teams are spending their money these days, I'm pretty content.

[thewupk]

But why has he been unlucky with BABIP? It's because since they employed the shift on him, it takes away a lot of balls that would be hits. I don't think that's factored in when you look at BABIP.

They have been shifting on Mac far longer then two years. So I don't think that is the reason or it would have been there from the start. Why are players sometimes unlucky? Who knows. It's why it's called luck. **** happens.

[goldfly]

[The Chosen One]

[Yogi44]

I have no problem with McCann's decision. All of us do what is best for our family, he is no different. If the Braves could not give him the security he felt he needed, then so be it. I am actually glad he chose the Yankees if he was leaving. I still prefer the Yankees in the American League.

[jsebe10]

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. The NY media and Yankee fan base is extremely fanatical. If Macc goes on his patten month long struggles in NY, they will let him hear it and it will weigh on him. I don't think he's ever been booed in Atl. Hell, the yanks booed jester when he went on his career worse 0-22 a few years ago.

Great choice in not resigning him. People tend to think as a fan first as opposed to economics and talent. Macc leaving will not hurt us as much as you think. Let him get booed for not bunting for a hit when AL teams employ the big shift on him.

[bravesnumberone]

Best of luck to Mac, but **** the Yankees.

And again I say it. This team needs to spend some goddamn money now that Mac and Hudson are off the books.

[Carp]

Good for him. Wish him nothing but the best. Just thought the price was too great for us for an aging, injury prone C when we need to lock down Heyward & Freeman...

LOL if you think he signed with the Yanks for any reason other than the money. He was going to play with the team that gave him the most money. It's all he cared about, hence the reason why him and his agent came out and said they wanted a $100 million contract. I have no respect for him or any other players with that mindset. They don't need the money to make ends meet, they just want to be the highest paid player at their position. It's all about pride and ego with profresional athletes these days.

Only someone sad and jealous would actually believe this. Pretty clear to see the Braves were not interested in re-signing him. If you want to be mad at someone, be bad at ownership. They are willing to give the bum BJ Upton 5/75 as a FA but they aren't willing to give that same contract to a guy that actually deserves it. A guy that has already taken a team friendly deal once before.

[Carp]

Braves had no realistic options in CF that they wanted to utilize (moving Heyward to CF). Braves have two catching options behind Mac and paying 30+ year old catchers is never a goodt hing.

Accept that Mac is not some average catcher. We're talking about a pretty fantastic hitter on a HOF path.

[Tapate50]

Best of luck to Mac, but **** the Yankees.

And again I say it. This team needs to spend some goddamn money now that Mac and Hudson are off the books.

Not a whole lot out there to buy, and we don't have wise spending habits when we do go shopping.

[NYCBrave]

It was a foregone conclusion that Mac had to go to the AL to prolong his career. He hasn't exactly kept himself in the best shape, and injuries were piling up. At the end of his contract, I'm not so sure he'll be a full time catcher anymore, and we didn't have the option to risk that in the NL.

[bravebonebook]

With Hudson vacating, BMac leaving, Heyward's "curious" tweet about BMac's new deal, etc., I guess it will be quite a while until another player's number is retired to the outfield wall. Wonder if I'll even see it happen during the rest of my lifetime?

[NYCBrave]

With Hudson vacating, BMac leaving, Heyward's "curious" tweet about BMac's new deal, etc., I guess it will be quite a while until another player's number is retired to the outfield wall. Wonder if I'll even see it happen during the rest of my lifetime?

Even before the Heyward tweet, there were already rumblings he would not be willing to accept a discounted extension, and was looking to go to free agency.

Our best bet is to try and lock up players like Freeman/Simmons. We should be looking to structure our contracts like the Rays did with Longoria. They have him locked up until he turns 37 and the rates are pretty reasonable.

[clvclv]

I have no problem with McCann's decision. All of us do what is best for our family, he is no different. If the Braves could not give him the security he felt he needed, then so be it. I am actually glad he chose the Yankees if he was leaving. I still prefer the Yankees in the American League.

Agreed. No need to "preach", but Mac deserved the money, and it's not like Wren & Company simply told him to "move on" - the rumors I heard over the weekend all said that they were still talking to B. B. (Abbott) as late as Friday. We have much cheaper "replacements" who are better risks that won't leave us with a huge hole behind the plate moving forward and the organization is simply better off investing those $$$ in other spots.

Anyone that whines about Mac not being a Brave for the next 5 years isn't thinking very clearly - it wasn't that long ago that there were plenty of people screaming about how stupid we were for giving Chipper his last extension with Prado waiting in the wings and that his money would've been better served upgrading other areas and handing the reigns to Martin. As a Chipper fan I didn't like it, but they were right back then and this was the right move now. Tying up $14+ million/year in a guy that will be a drag on payroll for 60 (or more) games every year is simply "bad business" - regardless of who that player is.