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| James McCann |
McCann, 29, had the best season of his career with the Sox in 2019. He batted .273/.328/.460 with 26 doubles, 18 home runs, 60 RBIs and 62 runs scored in 118 games. McCann made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, and Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito credited McCann's leadership and game preparation in helping him have a breakout season on the mound.
While McCann played well, that didn't stop Sox management from signing Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million contract last month. With the addition of Grandal, the Sox are guarding against any regression that McCann may have in 2020 -- McCann is a lifetime .247/.328/.460 batter.
With this move, you figure the Sox are set at catcher. For the first time in a long time, they have two competent players ready to man the position.
McCann will become a free agent when the 2020 season ends.
Here are the tender/non-tender decisions
The Sox on Monday also tendered contracts to utility player Leury Garcia and pitchers Carlos Rodon, Alex Colome and Evan Marshall.
Second baseman Yolmer Sanchez and pitchers Caleb Frare and Ryan Burr were non-tendered. Pitcher Thyago Vieira was granted his release, so that he can pursue an opportunity to play in Japan.
These moves reduce the Sox's roster from 40 to 36, and hopefully, a couple of those spots will be used on free agent starting pitchers in the weeks to come.
Maybe sign Travis Shaw and plug him in to RF? He seems athletic enough for the position and dabbled ever so lightly in LF. The Sox can definitely afford a flyer on a comeback try.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him, but not as a primary option in RF. Generally, I'm tired of the Sox trying to convert infielders into outfielders. I'd be OK with bringing Shaw in on a minor league deal. Maybe he plugs 2B until Madrigal is ready. And maybe if his bat bounces back, he helps at 1B/3B/DH, too. I just wouldn't count on him to fill any spot full time.
ReplyDeleteBurr and Frare re-signed on minor league deals. So both pitchers will remain in the organization, but won't have a spot on the 40-man (for now).
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