Brian McCann Rumors: Updating Every Suitor's Odds of Landing the Star Catcher

Brian McCann is about to make a ton of cash.

According to the early speculation, McCann is in line to receive a deal in the neighborhood of the five-year, $75 million contract that the St. Louis Cardinals gave Yadier Molina. Now, the question is if any team is willing to make such an investment.

As Bleacher Report Lead MLB Writer Zachary D. Rymer remarked in the video below, McCann is “legitimately one of the best power-hitting catchers ever through the age of 29.” The Georgia native has swatted at least 20 home runs in seven of the last eight seasons and owns a .472 SLG for his career.

However, there are also some major warning signs, as well. The catcher is about to turn 30, which is the age when many players at that position decline precipitously. McCann struggled through just such a slump in 2013, as he posted a .291 average in the first half of the season, only to hit .220 in the second half.

Even with those concerns in mind, the lack of power available on the free-agent market and McCann's ability to play a premier defensive position ensure that the fiery catcher is on the verge of securing a huge payday.

Here's a look at all the suitors for McCann and the odds that each club will sign the star:

Suitor No 1: The Atlanta Braves

McCann's only big league team won't be getting involved in a “bidding war” to retain his services, as David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explained.

Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren told O'Brien that both sides will, “continue to talk.” McCann's agent B.B. Abbott mentioned to O'Brien, “We have an open and ongoing dialogue.”

Both statements were incredibly vague, and underscore the notion that while neither side wants to disrespect the other, there is absolutely no chance that McCann will be back with the club in 2014.

The Braves certainly don't want to lose a player of McCann's caliber. But the team will take the compensation draft pick and hand off catching duties to younger and cheaper options like Evan Gattis—who actually hit one more home run than McCann in 2013. Down the line, Christian Bethancourt could also figure into the equation for the Braves.

Odds: Not happening.

Suitor No. 2: The San Francisco Giants

The only way this signing would ever make any sense is if the San Francisco Giants decided to move MVP Buster Posey out from behind the plate. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, that's not on the docket.

Heyman noted that “despite interest” from the Giants, McCann is not a “realistic option” as the team will continue with Posey as the primary catcher.

There could be a scenario where Posey and McCann rotated between first base and catcher. After all, that would be a pairing of two of the premier offensive catchers in all of baseball. The Giants, though, already have Brandon Belt and Pablo Sandoval stationed at the corners. With no designated hitter role to fill, McCann would be an expensive luxury.

Then again, GM Brian Sabean has made stranger moves than this, and it's hard to argue with the executive's impressive resume.

Odds: 50-1

Suitor No. 3: The Boston Red Sox

As Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported, the World Series champions are definitely on McCann's radar. Here's what Abbott had to say about his client's interest in the Boston Red Sox:

"

Obviously the coaching staff and clubhouse unity is attractive. He has also always been fascinated with the fan base, their support of the Red Sox and the history of the organization. Boston would certainly be a place that would be a consideration for Brian.

"

However, the real question is whether the Red Sox share that same “fascination” with McCann.

The team is in the market for a new catcher with Jarrod Saltalamacchia likely to score a more lucrative contract on the open market. But would the Red Sox be willing to meet McCann's demands in terms of years and dollars? It sounds unlikely, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe:

There's no chance that McCann will settle for a two-year contract, so clearly that “somebody” won't be the seven-time All-Star. Instead, it is much more probable that a veteran stopgap like Carlos Ruiz or A.J. Pierzynski would fill that role. Even Saltalamacchia would be a better candidate for such a deal.

Odds: 25-1

Suitor No. 4: The Texas Rangers

As Peter Gammons recently tweeted, the Texas Rangers will play an intriguing role on the free-agent market this offseason:

With Pierzynski headed out of town, McCann would appear to be an ideal replacement behind the plate. As Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston noted, the Rangers have expressed a high level of interest in signing the catcher:

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe echoed that notion with a minor caveat:

McCann's power would play perfectly at Rangers Ballpark, but there's one problem. Texas has already re-signed Geovany Soto to be the team's main catcher, which means that McCann would be utilized as a part-time catcher and part-time DH or first baseman.

In the long run, McCann will have to move out from behind the plate, but there's little reason to think that McCann is ready to make that switch imminently.

There's no sense in ruling out the Rangers, but for now McCann is far more likely to land with a team where he can dictate when he puts aside his catcher's gear, rather than the other way around.

Odds: 10-1

Suitor No. 5: The New York Yankees

As Mark Feinsand of the Daily News reported, the New York Yankees are running a “full-court press” to land free-agent stars Carlos Beltran and McCann.

The idea behind the plan is to strike fast before the free-agent market starts to develop. The Yankees would certainly benefit from plugging the five-time Silver Slugger behind the plate. In 2013, Chris Stewart hit .211/.293/.272 while appearing in 109 games.

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the “prevailing opinion” around the league is that McCann will end up in the Bronx in 2014. Bradford explained that one GM told him that McCann “is going to end up with the Yankees.”

Sure, it would cost the team a draft pick, but that loss would be cancelled out by the potential picks that could come with the departures of Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Hiroki Kuroda.

There's an excellent chance that McCann will be wearing pinstripes in 2014. But first there is still one last option to consider.

Odds: 1-1

Suitor No. 6: The Mystery Team

Nobody expected Cliff Lee to end up with the Philadelphia Phillies, or for the Detroit Tigers to drop $214 million on Prince Fielder. So, why couldn't that happen again with McCann?

The catcher certainly poses enough talent and wields a powerful enough bat that any number of mystery teams could enter the bidding.

If you think McCann will end up on a mystery team in 2014, then explain your choice in the comments section below.

Odds: 20-1