Brian McCann and the Yankees are close on a five-year deal worth more than $80 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Yankees suffered through the 2013 season with Chris Stewart and Austin Romine behind the plate, so they obviously made catcher a priority this offseason. In McCann they're targeting the best option available on the free agent market. The left-handed McCann should enjoy the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. He's hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last six seasons. The Rockies were also in on McCann and made a late run at the 29-year-old, Rosenthal said.

The Yankees and Brian McCann remain in "serious" discussions but are not yet close to a deal, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal said. Rosenthal's report came just minutes after the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant reported the sides were on the verge of an agreement, so there seems to be some conflicting information floating around. Rosenthal said the Yankees have been working on signing the 29-year-old for "some time." Despite the different reports, both reporters seem to believe the Yankees are pushing hard for the top backstop on the market.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Brian McCann is expected to start visiting with teams in the next two weeks. Olney hears that the Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox are among more than a half-dozen teams in the mix. McCann hit .256/.336/.461 with 20 homers and 57 RBI over 102 games this past season and should do quite well as the top catcher available in free agency.

The Yankees aren't expected to move quickly on free agent targets Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, a source told ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand. The information contradicts an earlier report from ESPN Boston that the Yankees were "knocking down (McCann's) door" to sign the free agent catcher. Per Marchand, the Yankees will wait for the market on the two players to develop before making their move, and he says the team has yet to even make an offer to either player. Even if they're not being aggressive, the club is expected to be in it until the end on both players.

Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston was told by one baseball source that the Rangers are pushing hard to sign free agent catcher Brian McCann.

Brian McCann declined the Braves' qualifying offer. It would have been a one-year, $14.1 million deal, and McCann stands to get one of the richest free agent contracts on the open market this winter. The Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers are among the deep-pocketed teams expressing preliminary interest. Because the qualifying offer was declined, signing McCann now requires the forfeiture of a top draft pick.

According to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, even if the Yankees are unsuccessful in signing Brian McCann, they're expected to drive up the cost for the team that does secure his services. Several of baseball's biggest spenders are known to be interested in McCann, and the Yankees certainly have money to spend this winter. After suffering through the triumvirate of Chris Stewart, Austin Romine and Francisco Cervelli in 2013, they'll certainly be willing to spend on the seven-time All-Star backstop. Fantasy owners are salivating at the potential boost to McCann's power numbers that would come from Yankee Stadium.

Free agent catcher Brian McCann doesn't consider Texas' re-signing of Geovany Soto an impediment to his prospects with the team. "The Soto signing certainly doesn't affect Brian's thinking at this point," B.B. Abbott, McCann's agent, said. "If the Rangers were to come calling, I don't think it would be a factor." Though general manager Jon Daniels has already tabbed Soto as starter, the Rangers are still in the market for a second catcher. If Texas signs a big-money backstop, they'd prefer he play another defensive position as well to retain Ron Washington's lineup flexibility. McCann has never played anywhere but catcher. "At this point, Brian's a catcher," Abbott said. "He's a 29-year-old catcher who's on a Hall of Fame path. You don't see those kind of guys hit free agency." Abbott added that McCann would consider playing out of position.

The Rangers and Red Sox are "early rivals" for free agent catcher Brian McCann, according to the New York Daily News. McCann and the Yankees also have mutual interest. A few executives who spoke with Daily News writer Andy Martino predicted that McCann will sign a contract worth more than $100 million, a figure one baseball official called "insane." McCann received a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Braves on Monday, so Atlanta will receive a compensatory pick if (when) he signs elsewhere.

Brian McCann's agent, B.B. Abbott, said Monday that his free agent client is interested in the Yankees. New York's catching situation was an offensive nightmare in 2013, so it's no surprise that player and team are already making eyes at each other. Abbott said New York is "certainly a place that is on Brian's radar. How could it not be? You've got an historic franchise and a great park, knowledgeable fans and a chance to win, which is what every guy plays the game for." McCann received a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Braves on Monday. He will decline that offer and try to cash in on the open market.