McCarroll21
03-23-2007, 03:42 AM
Braves Sign McCann to Six-Year Deal
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Brian McCann and the Atlanta Braves reached a record deal. Brian McCann has been signed to a record six-year, $27.8 million contract, which is a new high in terms of money amount given to a player with less than two years of service time. Grady Sizemore held the previous record amount with the six-year, $23.45 million deal he signed before the start of the 2006 season.
McCann's deal is somewhat awkward in that his 2012 year could become an option year if he fails to win predefined awards. He also has an opportunity to earn $3 million in bonuses in 2012. The contract also has a $12 million team option for the year 2013, which, if exercised, could take the total value of the deal to $42.8 million.
The 2012 option was asked for specifically by McCann. He wanted the contract written in a way that if he was not playing up to the standards placed on him by the amount of the contract, the Braves could get out of the deal. This is not the opt out clause that has been most recently used by J.D. Drew, it is a player being unselfish and looking out for what could be the betterment of the team in the future.
The contract breaks down annually as follows: $500,000 in 2007, $800,000 in 2008, $3.5 million in 2009, $5.5 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 2011 and $8.5 million in the 2012 season.
The bonuses in place for the 2012 season are based on Silver Slugger Awards, Gold Glove Awards and All-Star Game Appearances.
The contract signed by McCann marks the first time the Braves have agreed to a long-term contract with a player who had less than three years of service time since Braves General Manager John Schuerholz awarded Chipper Jones a four-year, $8.25 million contract after the 1995 season.
This contract could begin a new era in terms of how the Braves handle contract negotiations. We saw the beginning of this change take place last season when Schuerholz extended the contract of Bob Wickman and picked up John Smoltz option during the 2006 season. Now, after losing young players like Kevin Millwood, Rafael Furcal, and Marcus Giles due to financial constraints, the Braves are looking to be pro-active in the sense that they are buying out arbitration years, and one year into free agency in the case of McCann. In addition to locking up McCann with this deal, the Braves have also had contact with the agent of outfielder Jeff Francoeur in hopes of signing him to a similar contract.
During the 2006 season, McCann hit .333 with 24 homeruns and 94 RBIs. He had the second highest average among major league catchers, led all catchers in homeruns and slugging percentage, and his RBI totals were only rivaled by the likes of Jorge Posada and Victor Martinez.
"Just throw this contract aside, I want to be the best catcher in baseball and I want to play for the Braves," McCann said. "This contract is just a stepping stone toward what I want to do in the future."
McCann certainly has the chance to do just that.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Brian McCann and the Atlanta Braves reached a record deal. Brian McCann has been signed to a record six-year, $27.8 million contract, which is a new high in terms of money amount given to a player with less than two years of service time. Grady Sizemore held the previous record amount with the six-year, $23.45 million deal he signed before the start of the 2006 season.
McCann's deal is somewhat awkward in that his 2012 year could become an option year if he fails to win predefined awards. He also has an opportunity to earn $3 million in bonuses in 2012. The contract also has a $12 million team option for the year 2013, which, if exercised, could take the total value of the deal to $42.8 million.
The 2012 option was asked for specifically by McCann. He wanted the contract written in a way that if he was not playing up to the standards placed on him by the amount of the contract, the Braves could get out of the deal. This is not the opt out clause that has been most recently used by J.D. Drew, it is a player being unselfish and looking out for what could be the betterment of the team in the future.
The contract breaks down annually as follows: $500,000 in 2007, $800,000 in 2008, $3.5 million in 2009, $5.5 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 2011 and $8.5 million in the 2012 season.
The bonuses in place for the 2012 season are based on Silver Slugger Awards, Gold Glove Awards and All-Star Game Appearances.
The contract signed by McCann marks the first time the Braves have agreed to a long-term contract with a player who had less than three years of service time since Braves General Manager John Schuerholz awarded Chipper Jones a four-year, $8.25 million contract after the 1995 season.
This contract could begin a new era in terms of how the Braves handle contract negotiations. We saw the beginning of this change take place last season when Schuerholz extended the contract of Bob Wickman and picked up John Smoltz option during the 2006 season. Now, after losing young players like Kevin Millwood, Rafael Furcal, and Marcus Giles due to financial constraints, the Braves are looking to be pro-active in the sense that they are buying out arbitration years, and one year into free agency in the case of McCann. In addition to locking up McCann with this deal, the Braves have also had contact with the agent of outfielder Jeff Francoeur in hopes of signing him to a similar contract.
During the 2006 season, McCann hit .333 with 24 homeruns and 94 RBIs. He had the second highest average among major league catchers, led all catchers in homeruns and slugging percentage, and his RBI totals were only rivaled by the likes of Jorge Posada and Victor Martinez.
"Just throw this contract aside, I want to be the best catcher in baseball and I want to play for the Braves," McCann said. "This contract is just a stepping stone toward what I want to do in the future."
McCann certainly has the chance to do just that.