Yankees Trade Brian McCann To Astros

The New York Yankees announced they have traded catcher Brian McCann to the Houston Astros:

TRADE: The @Yankees have acquired RHPs Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman from Houston for C Brian McCann and cash considerations.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 17, 2016

McCann is set to make $17 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Yankees will play $5.5 million of that salary each season. ESPN's Buster Olney detailed why the Astros were interested in McCann earlier this week:

McCann has had a reputation for being very good with younger players, and for the way he can lead and help a pitching staff. McCann has a full no-trade clause and must approve any deal, but he seems to be open to listening. It may be that Houston would have an advantage over some National League teams because McCann could serve some time at designated hitter when he's not catching.

New York was rumored to be interested in dealing McCann at the trade deadline this past season, and the Atlanta Braves had expressed interest in a deal. It seemed as though that would be his eventual landing spot, but the Astros swooped in and made the deal first.

New York had talked about keeping McCann as a DH and backup catcher to Gary Sanchez, but ultimately decided to pull the trigger on a trade. The Yankees are hoping to re-sign Carlos Beltran (who they traded to the Rangers at the deadline), and keeping the DH spot open helps their chance of landing him.

McCann batted .242 with 20 homers and 58 RBIs in 130 games last season.

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