The Braves made a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer to free agent Brian McCann, assuring they’ll receive a compensatory draft pick if the catcher signs elsewhere.
Teams had until 5 p.m. Monday to make qualifying offers to their free agents, who have one week to accept or decline the offers. Last year, all who received qualifying offers declined.
The Braves also made a one-year, non-qualifying offer to free-agent pitcher Tim Hudson, whom they’d like to bring back at a salary significantly below his $9 million in 2013. The team declined a $1.6 million option on outfielder Reed Johnson, opting for a $150,000 buyout.
Hudson, 38, is recovering from a season-ending broken ankle and could begin throwing this month. Eight teams have expressed interest in the veteran, who has 205 career wins and went 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 21 starts in 2013.
McCann is expected to decline the qualifying offer and could get $15 million or more annually in an offer of at least five seasons. Ten teams have expressed interest so far, and American League teams such as the Red Sox, Rangers or Yankees are expected to be in the bidding.
Any team that signs him would give up a first-round draft pick, or second-round pick if the team’s first-rounder is in the protected first 10. The Braves would receive a compensatory draft pick at the end of the first round.
A seven-time All-Star and Georgia native, McCann is popular among fans and teammates. The Braves, with a mid-level payroll and cheaper catching options, aren’t expected to make a long-term offer comparable to what others will offer McCann, 30.
After missing a month recovering from shoulder surgery, he hit .256 with 20 homers, the seventh time he’s hit at least 20 homers in eight full seasons. A second-round draft pick out Duluth High School in 2002, McCann has a .277 career average and .350 OBP, and leads all catchers with 171 homers and 638 RBIs since the beginning of 2006.
About the Author
