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New York Mets, James McCann finalizing 4-year, $40-million deal
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Catcher James McCann of the Chicago White Sox tracks a foul pop-up in Wild Card Round Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California, September 29, 2020. /CFP

Catcher James McCann of the Chicago White Sox tracks a foul pop-up in Wild Card Round Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California, September 29, 2020. /CFP

Catcher James McCann and the New York Mets are finalizing the first multi-year, "big" deal of the MLB offseason, The Athletic reported on Saturday. ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed that it's a four-year contract worth more than $40 million.

"Beyond excited to work with @JamesMcCann34. I've heard nothing but unbelievable things about him as a player and person. Guy rakes at the dish and is always locked in behind the plate! Welcome to NY my man! @Mets," posted the Mets' starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on Twitter.

McCann was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round in 2011 but did not draw much attention until he joined the Chicago White Sox in 2018. He averaged career highs in batting average (.273), home runs (18) and RBI (60). Thanks to his great performance, McCann was named an All-Star for the first time in his career in the 2019 season.

James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox bats in Wild Card Round Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum, September 29, 2020. /CFP

James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox bats in Wild Card Round Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum, September 29, 2020. /CFP

McCann was paid $5.4 million last season and he shared the catching responsibility with Yasmani Grandal, who signed a record four-year, $73-million contract with the White Sox a year ago. When McCann became a free agent, he immediately became one of the two most popular catchers on the market. The other was J.T. Realmuto.

Realmuto reportedly wanted a $200-plus-million deal and so the Mets chose McCann. After giving McCann the deal, the Mets still have enough money to go after other top free agents like Trevor Bauer and George Springer. The team already signed Trevor May and Jerry Blevins. The Mets' President of Baseball Operations Sandy Alderson said that they still want to enhance their rotation and add another center fielder to the franchise. If they have no problem making big offers, Bauer and Springer are definitely their guys.

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