What can Wieters do with the McCann deal?

While wondering why the Terps tried to freeze a kicker named Freese ... So much for manager Buck Showalter's "prediction" that catcher Matt Wieters would be wearing pinstripes in two years. If so, he's going to find someone else behind the plate. According to multiple reports, the Yankees have reached agreement with free-agent catcher Brian McCann on a five-year, $85 million deal that includes a sixth-year $15 million vesting option. The $17 million per season average is the highest ever for a free agent catcher. Wieters can become a free agent following the 2015 season. How does this contract impact him? Well, it probably eliminates the Yankees as a suitor unless they'd want to move McCann, who turns 30 in February, to another position. Does agent Scott Boras look at the McCann contract, rub his hands together and unleash a wicked laugh? McCann is a career .277/.350/.473 hitter with 176 homers and 661 RBIs in 1,105 games and 3,863 at-bats spanning nine major league seasons. He's a seven-time All-Star and a five-time Silver Slugger winner. Though considered above-average defensively, he's never won a Gold Glove. Wieters, who turns 28 in May, is a career .255/.319/.420 hitter with 87 homers and 328 RBIs in 657 games and 2,349 at-bats over five major league seasons. He's a two-time All-Star with two Gold Gloves. It should be interesting when executive vice president Dan Duquette sits down with Boras at the Winter Meetings that begin Dec. 9 in Orlando. The subject of a Wieters extension is bound to come up, though Duquette seems to have put it on the back burner. The Orioles really need to figure out, if at all possible, whether Wieters is truly open to signing an extension or determined to test free agency. And to what extreme Boras will attempt to trump the McCann deal. After all, it could be terribly outdated in two years. If McCann is worth $85 million over five years, and potentially $100 million over six, where does Wieters fit? The McCann signing is huge for the Yankees, who have significantly upgraded the catching position. Their ballpark is made for him. It's an impressive strike, especially two weeks away from the Winter Meetings. Yankees catchers ranked last in the majors with eight home runs this season. McCann has hit 20 or more in seven of the last eight seasons, falling short in 2007 with only 18. Meanwhile, ESPN.com reports that the Cardinals are close to a deal with free-agent infielder Jhonny Peralta. FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Orioles were interested in Peralta as a left fielder. Well, it's apparently safe to move on from that rumor.