Was the first big splash of the offseason a good one? You decide.
The Yankees forfeited the 19th pick in next year's draft by signing the best catcher on the free agent market in Brian McCann. After suffering with the futility of Chris Stewart for nearly the entire 2013 season, the team didn't fall into the same trap as the 2012 offseason in failing to come up with a suitable plan for the catcher position. The deal includes a sixth year vesting option that would bump the five-year, $85 million deal up to six years and $100 million. Catchers tend to break down at an earlier age due to the strain on their bodies, but McCann will only be 30 years old when the 2014 season begins.
McCann's left-handed swing and power bat will be a welcome site in Yankee Stadium with it's hitter-friendly short porch. That kind of offensive capability is something the team hasn't really consistently seen since Jorge Posada's retirement, thanks to a streaky hitter in Russell Martin and a non-hitter in Stewart. If the Yankees were looking to show that they were willing to open their wallets this offseason, getting McCann inked to a deal early was a good way to get that started.
Now it is time for you to be the judge and jury on the contract. Do you think it was a good move for the Yankees, or should they have been more selective with their money and giving up their highest draft pick in years? Vote in the poll below! Also, feel free to share your thoughts on the McCann signing by writing a Fanpost on the site here.