The Orioles landed a backup catcher late Wednesday evening, venturing into the trade market to bring veteran backstop James McCann to Baltimore.

The organization announced the addition of McCann from the New York Mets for a player to be named later. Included in the deal are cash considerations, helping to cover part of McCann’s existing contract, which runs through 2024. And to make room on the 40-man roster for McCann, infielder Tyler Nevin was designated for assignment.

According to MLB.com, the Orioles will cover just $5 million of the $24 million remaining on McCann’s contract. The Mets, a team that has blown past the luxury tax threshold this offseason, still shave some payroll with the move.

The Orioles didn’t have another catcher on their 40-man roster beside Adley Rutschman. Last year, Robinson Chirinos served that role, and he brought a veteran presence that helped guide Rutschman in his rookie season.

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There’s upside with McCann that Chirinos lacked. Chirinos ranked at the bottom of the league in pitch framing, according to Statcast, but McCann sat in the 62nd percentile — meaning he’s more adept at making borderline pitches appear as strikes.

Offensively, however, there’s little to separate Chirinos and McCann, at least in 2022. Chirinos hit .179 to McCann’s .195, but Chirinos got on base at a higher clip and hit for slightly better power. McCann, however, held an expected batting average of .240 last season — he suffered from ill luck at times.

Still, the Orioles feel confident in the addition of McCann as a quality second catcher who can take some backstop duties from Rutschman whenever he needs a day off his feet. Plus, McCann can serve as a designated hitter, especially against left-handed pitching. McCann has hit .258 with a .777 on-base plus slugging percentage against southpaws.

Depending on the player to be named later, the trade could signal a subtle but significant shift in organizational philosophy: exchanging a prospect for an established major leaguer in return. The Orioles have largely concentrated on compiling prospects by trading veteran players, but Elias has said he is now more open to using the team’s deep pool of young talent to add pieces.

andy.kostka@thebaltimorebanner.com