Ex-Yankee Brian McCann glad to be regular catcher again

Brian McCann knew it was time to go.

“I still want to catch every day,” McCann said Monday about last week’s trade to the Astros.

McCann, in an interview on WFAN, said he decided to waive his no-trade clause because he knew which way the wind was blowing in the Bronx. Ever since Gary Sanchez burst on to the scene and took his everyday job, McCann had been staring at a future of catching every now and then and being a part-time designated hitter.

McCann, who will turn 33 on Feb. 20, said he isn’t ready to go to the old ex-catchers’ home just yet.

“I still want to put in the work for 115, 120 games and catch every day,” he said. “That was kind of the final decision that I made when the season ended. Just not ready for that DH/catch-once-a-week gig, so I had to make that decision and I had to do what’s best for myself and my family.”

McCann spent three seasons with the Yankees after signing a five-year, $85-million contract. He was dealt to Houston on Thursday for minor-league pitchers Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman. The Yankees included $11 million to offset the remaining $34 million on McCann’s contract.

Sanchez appeared in only 53 games but still finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .299 with 20 homers, 42 RBIs and a 1.032 OPS.

McCann graciously stepped aside when Sanchez took his job in August. He’s the kid’s biggest fan.

“I’m a huge fan of baseball and catchers,” McCann said. “To see a young kid come up and do everything he did . . . When he was ready, he was ready. He came and let everybody know it was his job, and he’ll be a really good catcher for a long time.”

By Anthony Rieber

anthony.rieber@newsday.comAnthonyRieber

Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.