Yanks deal McCann to Astros for pitching prospects

NEW YORK — Brian McCann recognized that his days in pinstripes might be numbered late last summer, as Gary Sanchez enjoyed a Ruthian first act on the big league stage to steal the Yankees’ starting catcher honors from the 12-year veteran.

McCann loved watching Sanchez slug, but the 32-year-old made it clear that he still hoped to catch regularly. The Yankees accommodated that wish on Thursday, shipping McCann to the Astros with cash considerations in exchange for Minor League right-handers Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman. Abreu was the Astros’ seventh-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com.

“Mac has done a great job for us, but with the emergence of Gary Sanchez, he’s now in a backup role and a part-time DH when he’s not catching,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “It made sense if we could find something that would be workable. Houston stepped up and I think all parties got what we wanted.”

McCann batted .235 with 69 homers and 227 RBIs over his three years in the Bronx. The Yankees will pay $11 million of the remaining $34 million McCann is owed through 2018, which Cashman said should offer additional flexibility to boost their lineup this winter.

Cashman acknowledged that he has made contact with the agent for Yoenis Cespedes, CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen, and also mentioned that the club could have interest in bringing Carlos Beltran back after dealing the slugger to the Rangers in advance of the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

“Getting additional money to play with from our end gives us a lot of choices in trades and the free-agent market,” Cashman said. “Does it mean we’re absolutely going to do something? No, it doesn’t mean we have to …

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