Astros decline club option on Brian McCann
The Houston Astros declined their $15-million club option on Brian McCann, meaning that the veteran catcher is now a free agent, according to a team announcement.
McCann's option did not have a buyout, per Cot's Contracts.
Had he met certain criteria, including starting at least 90 games behind the plate in 2018, the contract would have converted to a player option for 2019; however, he did not come close to meeting the requirements.
McCann struggled through an injury-filled 2018 season that ended up as the worst of his 14-year career. He appeared in only 63 games due to knee issues that forced him to the disabled list on two separate occasions, and when healthy, hit just .212/.301/.339 (79 OPS+). The six-time Silver Slugger winner's seven home runs marked the first time since his 59-game rookie season that he failed to hit at least 18 homers.
Due to his injuries, Houston acquired another catcher in Martin Maldonado from the Los Angeles Angels ahead of this year's non-waiver deadline. Maldonado, who's also a free agent now, took much of McCann's playing time behind the plate down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.
The 34-year-old was initially acquired by the Astros via trade from the New York Yankees in the 2016 offseason, three years after inking a five-year, $85-million deal with New York. He served as the Astros' primary catcher in 2017, and helped the franchise win its first World Series title.
A seven-time All-Star, McCann owns a career .791 OPS, 270 home runs, and 973 RBIs over his 14 major-league seasons with the Astros, Yankees, and Atlanta Braves.
Houston also announced Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Jandel Gustave has been outrighted off the 40-man roster and is now a free agent.