DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers are cutting ties with James McCann, their primary catcher for the last four seasons, as they look to pare down costs and get more offensive production behind the plate.
The Tigers declined to offer a 2019 contract to McCann by Friday night's deadline, making him a free agent. He would have been due about $3.5 million if the team had elected to go through the arbitration process.
Instead, the Tigers will have a new primary catcher for the first time since 2014.
The Tigers also elected to non-tender veteran right-handed pitcher Alex Wilson, who would have been due about $2.