Braves’ McCann wins NL Silver Slugger award

Brian McCann was getting interviewed Wednesday about his second National League Silver Slugger award in three seasons when the Braves catcher asked reporters a question: Anything new with Jake Peavy?

The Braves are trying to finalize a trade for the San Diego Padres ace and 2007 Cy Young Award winner, and McCann has followed every development in the five-week rumors-and-negotiations saga.

“I’m following it every day,” McCann said. “I hope we get him. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game right now. He’s young and brings that passion for the game that every team wants. I want a guy like him on the mound for Game 7 of the World Series.

“I hope we get him. I think pitching wins, that’s what I think.”

Hitting is awfully important, too, and McCann, 24, has been an offensive force since batting .333 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs in his first full season in the majors in 2006.

He rebounded from an injury-plagued 2007 season to hit .301 with 42 doubles, 23 homers and 87 RBIs in 145 games in 2008, with a .373 on-base percentage and only 64 strikeouts in 509 at-bats.

McCann was the only Braves player to get the Silver Slugger, which goes to the top hitter at each position in each league. Chipper Jones (.364, 22 homers, 75 RBIs) won a batting title but lost out on the Silver Slugger to Mets third baseman David Wright (.303-33-124).

“You don’t play the game for awards,” McCann said, “but it still makes it nice to know you ended the season on a positive note and everybody noticed the numbers that you put up.

McCann is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner.

“If you had told me that [three years ago], I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said. “I put a lot of hard work into getting my swing where I wanted it. Now I’m working on my defense, trying to make myself a better all-around baseball player.”

McCann is following a rigorous offseason diet and conditioning program and has already dropped more than 15 pounds.

“I’m still going to be just as strong if not even stronger,” he said. “I’m working out with my brother and [Cubs and former Braves infielder] Mark DeRosa, incorporating more running and less eating.”