The Brewers have already clinched a playoff berth and their magic number to clinch the NL Central is one, leaving Milwaukee on the doorstep of winning its third division crown in the last six seasons. This will also be the Brew Crew’s fifth postseason appearance in that same six-year stretch, as the club has rebounded nicely after missing out on a wild card berth by just one game in 2022.
A 31-18 record since August 1 helped turn the NL Central race into a relatively comfortable finish for the Brewers, who hold a six-game lead over the second-place Cubs. August 1 also happened to be Mark Canha’s first game with Milwaukee after being acquired from the Mets the day prior, and Canha has played a big role in the Brewers’ surge. Canha had a solid but unspectacular .245/.343/.381 slash line over 303 plate appearances with New York prior to the deal, but he has kicked things up a couple of notches as a Brewer — Canha has hit .296/.388/.451 with five homers over 188 PA with Milwaukee.
There is perhaps a little good fortune involved, as Canha has a .321 BABIP with the Brewers as compared to a .278 BABIP with the Mets. However, he has also reduced his strikeout rate and is hitting for a lot more power since changing teams, and Canha told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Todd Rosiak that he created a quick rapport with Brewers hitting coaches Ozzie Timmons and Connor Dawson.
This success has boosted Canha’s case heading into a possible trip to free agency. This is the final guaranteed season of the two-year, $26.5MM deal Canha signed with the Mets in November 2021, and New York is still covering all of that remaining money (minus a prorated MLB minimum salary) as per the terms of July’s trade. The Brewers are responsible for what’s next, whether it’s picking up a $11.5MM club option on Canha for 2024 or buying him out for $2MM.
It makes for a one-year, $9.5MM decision for the team, and Rosiak notes that Canha would be a nice fit for Milwaukee’s unsettled first base picture. Carlos Santana has hit decently well since coming to the Brewers in another deadline deal, but Santana will also be a free agent, and Canha brings more defensive versatility as a player capable of lining up at either corner outfield slot as well as first base.
Canha would be eager to stay in Milwaukee, saying “I think this organization just really does it, quote unquote, right. It’s just a place that has a good feel and a good idea of how to win ballgames and how to construct rosters….At this point in my career, when you’ve been in a bunch of different situations, year to year, you appreciate that.”
Garrett Mitchell also figures to be an important part of the Brewers’ outfield picture in 2024, but the former top prospect might be on the verge of still making an impact on this season. A wayward slide into third base back in April resulted in a shoulder surgery for Mitchell, and the procedure threatened to end his 2023 campaign after only 16 games. However, Mitchell has been diligently rehabbing, and was able to get back onto the field September 15 to begin a Triple-A rehab assignment.
That assignment is now eight games deep, and with the Triple-A season now over, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy (X link) suggests that Mitchell might be activated from the 60-day injured list as early as today. Getting back to the majors this season would present both an important psychological and physical achievement for Mitchell in the bigger picture, but he could also make a late bid for Milwaukee’s playoff roster.
Canha, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins and Tyrone Taylor all look like certainties for the outfield depth chart heading into the postseason, as Taylor seems to have recovered from a minor hamstring issue that kept him out of a few games last week. This is another area where Canha’s versatility is important to the Brewers, as if the Crew prefers him as a first base or DH option, it creates room for Mitchell to provide further depth in the outfield.
Aaron Ashby is another Brewers youngster recovering from shoulder surgery, but it doesn’t appear as though Ashby’s comeback attempt will lead to a return during the regular season or postseason. The left-hander hasn’t pitched at all in 2023 due to arthroscopic surgery in April, though he has pitched in seven rehab outings in September, advancing from high-A ball to Double-A to Triple-A. While rehab assignments are more about getting healthy than bottom-line results, the 15.43 ERA Ashby has posted over his seven total minor league innings indicates that he isn’t quite right yet, so it seems highly unlikely that the Brewers would turn to him as an option for a postseason roster.
LOLmets endures in the form of castoffs putting their new team into the postseason.
Canha’s always been a good player, but you cannot expect the same level of productivity when he’s in and out of the lineup as he was with the Mets.
How does this LOLMets? They traded off a pending free agent, he’s playing well, and the Mets got a decent prospect in return (pitching, no less). It’s a win-win trade. Also, the Brewers were making the playoffs with or without Mark Cahna. So… what are you talking about?
Anything can be LOLmets if you’re slow enough.
Tell ‘em Canha! A good workplace ENVIRONMENT and ORGANIZATION is invaluable!
The question is, can they make some noise this year in the playoffs? They’ve done a decent job patching together a playoff capable roster the last few years in a relatively weak division. I don’t think there’s enough firepower or guys that can put the team on their back like some of the favorites, but a little luck and perhaps catching fire at the right time is all any team can hope for once they reach October. Go Crew!
the pitching staff is capable of putting the team on their back, for sure. we don’t have to put up 16 runs\game to win a playoff series, and although the braves and dodgers boast a lotta clout in their lineups, i would take the brewers pitching staff over either of those teams… should be an interesting October! fear the beer!
Canha is one of those guys that will bring his lunch pail, thermos, hard hat, and work ethic, and grind. Then, when you look at his line at the end of the year, and make the playoffs, you realize how important he is to your team.
He will even pick up his team at 3rd base when all else fails, and filled in with the same enthusiasm he has elsewhere on the diamond. Tremendous team player who will do everything he can for his team.
Great comment!
I’ve always liked Canha as a player and it’s not just because he always rakes for me in “MLB The Show”. You gotta love the low maintenance, team-first guys that just show up, play thru injury and bring their hard hats.
it would be silly if the brewers don’t pick up Canha’s team option
Ashby isn’t coming back because he’s still 5-7 mph behind on his fastball and can’t throw strikes. Here’s hoping that a winter in the pitching lab gets him right going into next spring.
Mitchell’s slide wasn’t errant! It was amazing and he was safe! Maybe ill-advised would be better. The other amazing (and dumb) thing is that he stayed in the game and had to make a throw in the next half-inning from center that caused him to collapse in pain. At least he came out then. Young players don’t want to come out for any reason.
I see MIL picking up Canha’s club option.
The Milwaukee Bridesmaid’s will be the first NL team bounced. The next time you see Counsell, he’ll be managing the Yankees
Lol. Not just one, but two hot takes! We shall see…
… And they’re both probably wrong
You don’t know Counsell do you? He will either manage Milwaukee or not manage next year. He grew up in Milwaukee. He was their batboy when he was 12. His whole family and his wife’s family lives here. It is about whether he wants a year off or not. They will let him take time off if he wants it. He has a girl still in high school sports next year here.
Since they won’t play the braves or dodgers in the first round…no, no they won’t.
Canha is an absolute professional and a great clubhouse guy. Milwaukee should definitely pick up his option.
No I don’t know him. It’s hard to keep up with someone who was born in Indiana, played in Colorado, Arizona, Florida and LA like a homegrown, true Milwlaulkeen. He can Zoom or Face Time his kid and show her the ring he finally won while teaching her a lesson that if you want success, you have to leave Milwaukee to find it.
Can someone translate this post into English?
He’s not a fan of Milwaukee. The team or the city, it would appear.
Really the Mets have success? Lol. Thank you for making me laugh. That is funny. Thanks man
I mean you gotta see how the greens are. It just depends, if the fish are in, if Gretzky is gonna be slam dunking those touchdowns, hitting the threes, you just don’t know for the horses if they’re gonna be using the real rabbits or the electric ones.
This article appears to credit the acquisition of Canha as the main reason for the Brewers’ record since August 1. Very typical.
The addition of Santana and his play at 1B nearly every day has had more impact on this team since August in my opinion. Santana is the player to bring back next season in Milwaukee instead of Canha. However, knowing Counsell & Arnold’s track record it will probably be Canha instead of Santana next season, unfortunately. Can’t go above Counsell’s quota.