It was always a slim possibility, most likely close to zero, that the Chicago White Sox would re-sign right-handed catcher James McCann and now you can pretty much slam the door on those chances.

McCann in talks with Mets

According to MLB insider Robert Murray, the New York Mets and McCann are currently engaged in active talks that would bring the free agent catcher to Queens for four years.

Mets in active talks with free-agent catcher James McCann, according to league sources. A deal is not yet close, but it is looking increasingly likely he will land a four-year deal.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 3, 2020

The 30-year-old catcher has been with the White Sox for the past two seasons, and he was actually one of Rick Hahn’s best sneaky, good finds out of lower tier free agents.

McCann’s rise with White Sox

McCann made his first MLB All-Star team in 2019, finishing the season with a .273/.328/.460, slash line, hitting 18 home runs with 60 RBIs in 439 at-bats. While McCann’s numbers dipped in the second half of 2019, he once again started strong in 2020 and in the shortened 60-game season, he batted .289, posting an .896 OPS in 31 games. In only 97 at-bats, McCann crushed seven home runs, on his way to a .536 slugging %.

McCann has truly been a late bloomer, as he struggled during most of his career with the Detroit Tigers. From 2015-18, when McCann got regular playing time, he only had one season with an OPS above .700, which came in 2017, when he slashed .258/.318/.415.

As a matter of fact, right before the White Sox signed McCann, he posted a career worst .220/.267/.314 slash line in 118 games with the Tigers. He went from that to the Mets valuing him over J.T. Realmuto, the number one free agent this offseason. Well, in a way.

According to MLB insider Andy Martino from SNY, the Mets are prioritizing George Springer as their big free agent signing, so to fill their catching needs they’re all over McCann.

Via SNY.

Springer is one of the Mets’ top targets this offseason, if not the top target, and remains heavily in the mix.

Meanwhile, sources outside the organization see the Mets’ interest in free agent catcher James McCann as potentially serious. At the moment, the Mets are after McCann more than J.T. Realmuto.

That was from Monday morning and now all the smoke is around McCann and the Mets.

Mets are making a serious push for catcher James McCann as @ByRobertMurray said. He has several serious suitors but Mets are among teams most involved.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 3, 2020

If McCann does end up getting a four-year contract with the Mets, then he’ll do better than what was predicted. MLB Trade Rumors ranked McCann as the 16th best free agent this offseason and projected him getting just two years worth $20 million. Meanwhile, the folks over at FanGraphs, only estimated McCann signing between $12 million to $14 million over two years.

But hey, you only need one team out there who really loves you and you’ll be in for a nice pay day.

White Sox catching depth chart

Yes, losing McCann is a hit to the White Sox not only because he was producing at the plate, but he also build a strong rapport with Lucas Giolito. That’ll definitely be something to keep an eye on, as Giolito has lived up to his high expectations since the start of 2019 with McCann behind the plate.

Meanwhile, the White Sox aren’t hurting catching wise, as they have one of the best in game in Yasmani Grandal, who is still under contract for three more years. Yet, after that the White Sox don’t have much proven depth with Zack Collins, Yermin Mercedes and Seby Zavala as the other catchers on the team’s 40-man roster.