The Braves brought fan favorite Brian McCann back to Atlanta to fill their catching void, reaching a one-year agreement worth $2 million.
McCann, 34, played for the Braves from 2005-13. An Athens, Ga., native, McCann is a seven-time All-Star (six consecutively) and won a World Series with the Astros in 2017. He departed for the Yankees prior to the 2014 season. McCann spent three seasons in New York before being traded to Houston, which declined its team option on the catcher earlier this winter.
From 2005-13, McCann hit .277 with 176 homers and 661 RBIs for the Braves. He developed into one of the game's best catchers and, alongside friend Jeff Francoeur, was a face of the 'Baby Braves.'
Each of McCann's All-Star appearances came in a Braves uniform. He also earned five Silver Sluggers (2006, 2008-11).
Only two Braves currently remain from McCann's days: first baseman Freddie Freeman and starter Julio Teheran.
McCann hit .212/.301/.339 across 63 games for the Astros in 2018. He adds veteran leadership to a young Braves clubhouse and will split time with fellow Georgia native Tyler Flowers at catcher.
The Braves prioritized adding another backstop this offseason. Kurt Suzuki, who paired with Flowers the past two seasons, left for Washington in free agency.
Miami's J.T. Realmuto was a trade target but the asking price, along with the Marlins' reported reluctance to trade their best player within the division, complicated those talks.
Enter McCann, who rejoins the franchise that raised him on a modest deal. He previously expressed desire to conclude his career with the Braves.
"One hundred percent," McCann said when asked last offseason if he would want to retire a Brave. "One hundred percent. This is my home. I played close to 10 years here. This organization is really, really, really close to my heart. I love this organization.
"Listen, I came up through this organization," he said. "Spent some amazing years (with the Braves). I'll always be an Atlanta Brave. So I love this organization, and we'll see what happens in the future."
The future, as fate would have it, pegged him back to the organization he loves. He and his wife, Ashley, still reside in the Atlanta area and have been pillars in the community, including their routine charity work with the Rally Foundation.
Shortly after news broke on McCann, the Braves signed third baseman Josh Donaldson to a lucrative one-year deal, pending a physical. The shorter agreements allow the Braves to balance winning now and planning for later, evaluating their younger in-house options at catcher and third base over the long haul.
It could also make it easier for the team to invest prospects in an outfielder or rotation upgrade, given that the organization already upgraded without dipping into its assets.
