The Boston Red Sox are unlikely to sign free agent Brian McCann with the prevalent opinion around baseball being the catcher will end up with the Yankees, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
One general manager in particular told Bradford straight up that McCann "is going to end up with the Yankees". The Red Sox, oft-mentioned in McCann rumors, have been hesitant to offer as big a contract as he is rumored to be seeking.
Both the Yankees and Red Sox are likely to receive three sandwich picks apiece in the 2014 draft as both teams are poised to potentially lose three free agents who turned down qualifying offers. Thus, the two teams are not as concerned about giving up their usual first round draft pick to sign McCann, who turned down a qualifying offer from the Braves.
While the Red Sox remain interested in McCann, they have turned their attention to other free agent catchers like Carlos Ruiz, A.J. Pierzynski and their own free agent Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
The Yankees used Chris Stewart as their primary catcher in 2013 with Francisco Cervelli missing much of the year due to injuries and a suspension related to Biogenesis. Stewart hit for just a 566 OPS over 109 games.
More from SB Nation MLB:
• Myers AL Rookie of the Year | Fernandez NL Rookie of the Year
• Presenting SB Nation's 2013 MLB Awards
• MLB Hot Stove | 5 clubs that will shape the MLB offseason
• Why do the Braves need a new stadium?
• Death of a Ballplayer: Wrongly convicted prospect spends 27 years in prison