MLB: Dollar values of the best catchers
By Bill Felber
4 James McCann, Chicago White Sox, $3.09 million value, $2.5 million salary
McCann was a bit of a breakout star for the White Sox in 2019, delivering career bests in batting average (.273), plate appearances (476), home runs (18) and OPS (.789) among other categories. For a 29-year-old in his sixth season, that’s stepping up.
The ramped up production was most notable. His 3.8 WAR equaled Chirinos as the game‘s fourth best and the $2.943 million value it represented happened to be more than the $12.5 million McCann earned all season.
He was solid, if not great, with the glove, saving 6 runs, the season’s 14th best total. That added $230,000 worth of value.
Had McCann complemented that with solid pitch framing numbers, he would rank one place higher on this list. That, alas, was too much to ask. His -2 runs saved framing ranked only 24th overall, and valued out to-$82,000. Giving money back is rarely a good idea.
Still, it was enough for the Sox to sign McCann to a $5.4 million deal for 2020. The raw valuation numbers for a catcher make it unlikely that McCann will justify that level of financial confidence, but if he comes close the White Sox will probably be happy to pay the premium.