Last week we got word that the shoulder surgery that Brian McCann underwent in October would likely hold him out until late April (at best).  Already a questionable option, let’s take a look at how far he falls (as well as any other movement in our Top 15):

1. Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
2. Carlos Santana – Cleveland Indians
3. Matt Wieters – Baltimore Orioles
4. Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins
5. Salvador Perez – Kansas City Royals
6. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals
7. Victor Martinez – Detroit Tigers
8. Jesus Montero – Seattle Mariners
9. Miguel Montero – Arizona Diamondbacks
10. Wilin Rosario – Colorado Rockies
11. Mike Napoli – Boston Red Sox
12. Jonathan Lucroy – Milwaukee Brewers
13. Ryan Doumit – Minnesota Twins
14. A.J. Pierzynski – Texas Rangers
15. Brian McCann – Atlanta Braves

Thoughts:

• The decline of McCann had already started, even if you want to ignore his .230 average (a .234 BABIP should rebound).  His high in RBI the past three seasons is 77 and he’s seen his runs scored go from 63 to 51 to 44.  Now that he isn’t likely to be a fixture in the middle of the lineup, even in a full season he likely wouldn’t rebound.  Throw in missing a month?  He’s a high upside bench option, but it’s impossible to trust him as a starter.
• Mike Napoli is the next catcher who could plummet, depending on his health.  Recently we learned that, “Napoli says MRI shows AVN in hips ha gotten no worse – the hoped-for result. He will increase activity (grounders on knees, more treadmill),” according to Alex Speier via Twitter.  We’ll have to keep a close eye on the news, just in case, but it appears like his value should remain unchanged.
• According to the Rockies official website (click here for the article), “Weiss said he is open to looking at Rosario in the fifth position, where Helton has hit in recent years. Rosario hit 28 home runs as a rookie last year. Weiss said he has no qualms about putting a catcher at such a prime spot in the order, even though catchers have regular days off and the lineup may have to be shifted to accommodate that when he’s not playing.”  Needless to say, if he ultimately hits fifth his value increases substantially.
• While, depending on your league rule, Victor Martinez may not open the season with catcher eligibility it doesn’t mean he won’t gain it at some point soon.  According to Chris Iott of mlive.com (click here for the article), “I’m still catching,” Martinez said. “I don’t see the reason why not. I always work hard to play. I always work hard to catch. I’ve always been in the shape that I am right now. I don’t see any reason. But we’ll take it slow. It’s the first day.”  In other words, he could see time behind the plate during interleague play.  That said, it all depends on league rules on when he could gain eligibility.  If he doesn’t open the season as a catcher in your format, you shouldn’t count on him there any time soon.
• Surprised to see Salvador Perez in the Top 5?  Check out our 2013 projection to find out why he’s there.

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Make sure to check out our 2013 rankings (all of which will be updated in the next few weeks):

• First Basemen (updated 01/15/13)
• Second Basemen (updated 01/22/13)
• Shortstops (updated 01/24/13)
• Third Basemen (updated 01/29/13)
• Outfielders 1-20 (updated 02/06/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/07/13)
• Starting Pitchers 1-20 (updated 02/12/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/14/13)
• Relief Pitchers (updated 01/31/13)