Brian McCann Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Yankees Catcher

The New York Yankees did not trade catcher Brian McCann ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, but that doesn't mean the veteran will finish the season in the Bronx.

Continue for updates.

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McCann Reportedly Clears Waivers

Sunday, Aug. 7

Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, citing sources, reported McCann is now eligible for a trade after teams passed on making a move for the catcher on waivers.

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McCann Linked to Braves

Sunday, July 31

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reported on Sunday that the "[Atlanta Braves] have discussed trading for [McCann]. It depends on how much money the Yankees are willing to eat."

McCann previously played with the Braves from 2005 to 2013 before joining the Yankees. He's in his third season with the Yankees after signing a five-year, $85 million deal in 2013.

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McCann Expendable as Yankees Fail to Win

McCann, 32, is hitting .231/.330/.413 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI this season.

The Yankees (56-55) are in fourth place in the American League East. They're seven games behind the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays for the division lead and five out of the AL's second wild-card spot.

McCann hasn't made an All-Star team since his arrival, but he's been a solid addition. He is on pace for his third straight 20-homer season in New York and could clinch another two-plus WAR (FanGraphs formula) with a good second half. The Yankees have essentially jettisoned him from the lineup against left-handed pitchers in favor of Austin Romine.

"This year, we have not been getting what we expected," general manager Brian Cashman said, per Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com. "He is better than this."

Romine would stand to see a majority of the work if McCann is dealt. The Yankees also have 23-year-old top prospect Gary Sanchez, who was called up to the big league club and is hitting .263 in 19 at-bats since his promotion.

Moving McCann now would clear Sanchez to split catching duties with Romine for the remainder of 2016 and perhaps set up a full-time job in 2017. The Yankees already have too many aging players who need time at the designated hitter spot, so McCann has become expendable.

The biggest issue would be his contract, which teams would undoubtedly expect New York to pay part of. The Yankees are on the hook for at least $34 million in 2017 and 2018, and there is a vesting option for $15 million in 2019 should McCann hit certain playing-time barriers. He also has a full no-trade clause, so he would have to approve any trade.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.