The Diamondbacks on Friday re-signed free-agent catcher McCann to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $2.75 million with the potential to earn another $500,000 in bonuses based on days on the active roster, a source told MLB.com.
McCann became a valuable contributor with Arizona after signing in June following an injury to starter Gabriel Moreno. He compiled a .755 OPS and a 107 OPS+ in 137 plate appearances.
While his production at the plate was a big plus for the Diamondbacks, he was even more valuable to them defensively and as a mentor to Moreno.
"This is more a defensive-minded decision for us, with all the things he does behind the plate," Hazen said.
The 35-year-old McCann accepted his role as a backup when Moreno returned from injury, and pitchers raved about his ability to call a game and his steady presence behind the plate.
"[He has] a calmness," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of McCann in September. "A couple of those mound visits, he just walks out there like he's walking down the street to talk to one of his buddies. And when you see that, there's a presence about that moment. So you can't say enough about his experience and the conversations he's having in those key situations."
One of the reasons McCann's contract bonuses are based on days on the active roster as opposed to games played or at-bats is because they wanted to make it clear that Moreno is their starter.
McCann will contribute as well, but a big part of that will come from his work with Moreno on the defensive side of things.
"The reason we structured the deal the way we did was because we didn't want to make it a competition," Hazen said. "It's not about James earning his bonuses on how much he plays, but about being active and on the roster, and that will help us complement Gabi in a way that we need to."
