The Veteran Presence
On this veterans day, I want to start by issuing a huge thank you to every man and woman that serves, or has ever served, in our nation's military. That includes my own dad, former Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and submariner, Joseph Zeankowski Sr. Your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis also has plenty of family with military experience. Most notably his dad, Jo, a former marine. The collective heroism of all these brave men and women cannot be measured in enough words or actions. So a big thank you to all that have, and currently now, serve.
Though the term "veteran" is most deservedly used to describe our military, it also extends to many other fields and trades. Even in Major League Baseball, a player that stays in the league long enough is considered a different kind of veteran. Going into his 5th MLB season next spring, Evan Gattis is already long considered one. This means he will be charged with the sort of responsibilities becoming of one that has played this game for a while to some of the younger fellas and rookies on the Houston Astros squad. A task that El Oso Blanco is more than up for.
But could he possibly be reunited with another MLB veteran this coming off season? Well, many league insiders and media seem to think so. There has been late word that the New York Yankees are looking to somehow deal Brian McCann to another team in the wake of rookie sensation, Gary Sanchez. Whether or not a trade will be made hinges on a lot of differing scenarios.
First, are the Astros willing to inherit the responsibility of the money he's owed over the next 3 seasons with lingering health problems? This includes two more at $17 million, and a third club option one for $15 million. McCann is already 33 and has stated that he does not feel up to catching the nearly 120 games that a starter must endure. So does that mean he backs up Gattis and takes other at-bats as a DH the same way Gattis did last season? If so, that does seem expensive to get a player with declining skills and pay him over thrice what a potential starter in Gattis is going to cost you long term.
Secondly, will McCann waive his no-trade clause? Early indications seem to point towards no. McCann has stated to the press many times that he loves playing with the Yankees organization, which seems to lean more towards him actually exercising it rather than waving it. If kept with the Yankees, however, his playing time might be sorely diminished.
Third, a look closely into McCann's clubhouse culture and attitude suggest that he may not actually be a good fit for the Astros. Why? Certain reports have labeled McCann to be an "old school" type of player. With a club Astros atmosphere of excitement, youth and spontaneity, the veteran catcher could be seen as somewhat of a buzz kill. On the other hand, some of the rookies on the team, and there were a lot last season, could actually benefit from his knowledge and expertise.
All in all, Jeff Lunhow has quite a bit to think about with this particular decision. And he has quite a few of those to make as it is. Having seen both McCann and Gattis play together in Atlanta, I know what they both bring to the table and are capable of. The possibility of a reunion for these two brings both pros and cons to it. Should it happen, let's just hope there are a lot more pros than there are cons.
Though the term "veteran" is most deservedly used to describe our military, it also extends to many other fields and trades. Even in Major League Baseball, a player that stays in the league long enough is considered a different kind of veteran. Going into his 5th MLB season next spring, Evan Gattis is already long considered one. This means he will be charged with the sort of responsibilities becoming of one that has played this game for a while to some of the younger fellas and rookies on the Houston Astros squad. A task that El Oso Blanco is more than up for.
But could he possibly be reunited with another MLB veteran this coming off season? Well, many league insiders and media seem to think so. There has been late word that the New York Yankees are looking to somehow deal Brian McCann to another team in the wake of rookie sensation, Gary Sanchez. Whether or not a trade will be made hinges on a lot of differing scenarios.
First, are the Astros willing to inherit the responsibility of the money he's owed over the next 3 seasons with lingering health problems? This includes two more at $17 million, and a third club option one for $15 million. McCann is already 33 and has stated that he does not feel up to catching the nearly 120 games that a starter must endure. So does that mean he backs up Gattis and takes other at-bats as a DH the same way Gattis did last season? If so, that does seem expensive to get a player with declining skills and pay him over thrice what a potential starter in Gattis is going to cost you long term.
Secondly, will McCann waive his no-trade clause? Early indications seem to point towards no. McCann has stated to the press many times that he loves playing with the Yankees organization, which seems to lean more towards him actually exercising it rather than waving it. If kept with the Yankees, however, his playing time might be sorely diminished.
Third, a look closely into McCann's clubhouse culture and attitude suggest that he may not actually be a good fit for the Astros. Why? Certain reports have labeled McCann to be an "old school" type of player. With a club Astros atmosphere of excitement, youth and spontaneity, the veteran catcher could be seen as somewhat of a buzz kill. On the other hand, some of the rookies on the team, and there were a lot last season, could actually benefit from his knowledge and expertise.
All in all, Jeff Lunhow has quite a bit to think about with this particular decision. And he has quite a few of those to make as it is. Having seen both McCann and Gattis play together in Atlanta, I know what they both bring to the table and are capable of. The possibility of a reunion for these two brings both pros and cons to it. Should it happen, let's just hope there are a lot more pros than there are cons.
Original Photo Credits: Kim Klement of USA Today Sports (Brian McCann) and Rob Leiter of Getty Images (Evan Gattis)
Could these former teammate brothers be reunited? We'll just have to wait and see!
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