The Mets offered free agent outfielder Mark Canha a non-guaranteed deal at some point this offseason, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. That clearly wasn’t enough to push an agreement over the finish line, but it does indicate some interest from his former club.
Canha, 36 next month, has been a solid regular for many years now, but unsurprisingly, his production has dipped as he has moved into his mid-30s. Last year, between the Tigers and Giants, he stepped to the plate 462 times. His 11% walk rate and 20.8% strikeout rate were both a bit better than average, but he only hit seven home runs, his lowest tally in a full season since 2017. His .242/.344/.346 batting line led to a 102 wRC+, indicating he was 2% better than league average overall. He also stole seven bases without being caught and provided roughly league average defense, both in the outfield corners and in first base.
As recently as 2022, his first with the Mets, he was able to slash .266/.367/.403 for a 126 wRC+ and produce 2.6 wins above replacement. But in 2023, split between the Mets and Brewers, he dropped to a 111 wRC+ and 1.7 fWAR. Last year, he was down to the aforementioned 102 wRC+ and 1.0 fWAR.
It’s perhaps not the most exciting profile, but Canha now stands as one of the better outfielders still available. Juan Soto, Jurickson Profar, Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander, Tyler O’Neill, Michael Conforto, Max Kepler and others have all come off the board. What remains is a collection of players with narrower skill sets and notable weaknesses, such as Canha, Alex Verdugo, Randal Grichuk, Jason Heyward, Harrison Bader, Ramón Laureano and others.
At worst, Canha still seems capable of playing a small-side platoon role. He has fairly neutral splits in his career but has hit lefties better more recently. Last year, he slashed .229/.330/.327 against righties but .275/.380/.394 against southpaws, leading to respective wRC+ tallies of 94 and 124. He has enough defensive versatility to play all four corner spots, though he would only be an emergency option at third base, with just 29 career innings there.
The Mets have a somewhat crowded infield mix at the moment but still seem open to possible changes. Soto and Brandon Nimmo will have regular work in the corners. Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor will likely battle for playing time in center. They also have Starling Marte and Jesse Winker. Those two are likely best suited for the designated hitter slot but they also can play the outfield some. Marte’s name has been in trade rumors and the Mets are reportedly willing to pay down some of his remaining contract to facilitate a deal. The first base situation is also a bit up in the air with Pete Alonso unsigned, though it seems likely that Mark Vientos would take that spot if Alonso signs elsewhere, leaving third base open for one of Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio or Luisangel Acuña.
Despite all those in-house outfield options, they reportedly expressed interest in both Hernández and Profar before they signed their respective free agent deals in L.A. and Atlanta. That suggests that adding depth, perhaps in conjunction with a Marte trade, is a path they have considered.
Canha wouldn’t be expected to be as impactful as either of those two this year, which is likely why the Mets only offered a non-guaranteed deal. But given that he was still a useful player in 2024, it’s not surprising that he is still holding out for a better offer elsewhere. The Twins have been seeking a right-handed bat to help in the outfield corners and possibly at first base. The D-backs could use a righty complement to a primarily left-handed outfield group. The Red Sox are also known to be looking for a righty bat. And, of course, spring injuries could create new opportunities for Canha before long.
Mets need to trade an outfielder not sign another one.
He can play 1b as well. Every team should be interested in this guy. Still hits LHP. Even White Sox could sign him so they can trade him.
I agree. Last time he played at Fenway had me dreaming. While not the big name, he was dominant both at the plate and in LF. As he also can play first, he still fits as a Sox reserve if they are not ready to carry a rookie on the bench when the season opens.
Canha played 50 games at 1b last year.
He is OK, I guess.
I take this (if Canha signs) as a signal Starling Marte goes in a trade somewhere. But the Mets would need to package Marte + money to make that happen. Dylan Cease maybe?
Unless injury he is only starting vs LHP and select RHP. Pinch hitter. I always seen him as a better outfielder but at his age you’re buying the bat.
I like Marte to Pittsburgh. Hey we know this name! Pnc right field perfect for old outfielder. Padres I don’t know. If they are trading Cease they probably need a better outfielder than Marte in their division.
Meaning a trade is in the works for Cease.
Better be a good return for the Padres, or that could backfire quickly.
And Marte, isn’t really and adequate piece for Cease.
Then Canha could just be depth for the Mets.
I would prefer Grichuk for the Phils, but Canha would also be a fit as a RH outfield bat. I find it hard to want to count on Weston Wilson to fill that role with aplomb on a serious contender.
Every team would prefer Grichuk if just for outfield and price was the same.
Price certainly won’t be close.
Oh – agreed for sure. But if both will do a one year deal, then the difference in $$ won’t really matter that much. I also see Grichuk as preferring the West Coast unfortunately…
Grichuk likely prefers the largest pile of cash over coast.
Trite, but true.
Canha loves hitting at Citizens Bank Park too.
I’ve mentioned Cahna as a possible good fit as IF/OF for the Yankees. Good 4th outfielder that can also back up your corner IF spots.
Good fit for anyone. It’s a big move for any team that signs him.
I don’t think he’ll cost too much.
For what?? DH? i thought martinez was good last year. Has JD. signed anywhere else
JD is unsigned and had a 108 WRC+ last year.
Canha had a 102 WRC+, but provides defense in both corner OF spots and 1B.
Don’t want JD back to clog up the DH spot. Use it for Alvarez, Acuna or Mauricio. Canha is done. We need to find a better reserve OF than that. Nimmo is still hobbled by the plantar fascitis so he may need to DH as well. NO JD.
It’s interesting that NYM is trying to snag him on a non-roster deal because he’s still a decent bat. That said, Buster Olney had a tweet this morning about how there are about 7 dozen veteran FA out there and less than a dozen open 40 man spots across the league so some of these guys are going to have to settle.
San Diego has like 5 of those open roster spots and a need at LF/DH so he would be a good fit there. They could potentially platoon him in LF with Ornelas.
Canha could play a number of places. I think Arizona is a great fit at 1B.
Weak platoon no better fit than Pittsburgh. Their current 1b and rf can’t hit LHP. Bonus pnc small rf.
Canha good fit anywhere though.
To me this says the Mets are nervous about Nimmo’s foot. There would be no reason to sign another OF unless Stearns thinks he may not be ready.
Any team should be interested. He plays 1b as well. Theres dh. Rest days. Pinch hitting. Great fit for any team. Foot or no foot.
I don’t get that impression at all. Canha would be a depth move for OF or 1B, nothing more.
Nimmo, Soto, Siri, Taylor, Winker, and Marte can all play OF, along with McNeil and Acuña. Maybe they consider him 1B depth, but if he’s the Mets’ replacement if they don’t sign Alonso, just play the young guys instead.
Can they all have a 380 obp vs LHP though?
What could the Mets possibly be doing?
If Winker was going elsewhere or was looking for 2/20m, Canha might be the very low cost OBP guy with neutral splits who can handle 1B in case the Mets young players fail at 3B and they have to go for a few months with Vientos back at 3B, and 1B opens up… hence Canha.
Plus, assuming they’re unloading Marte, it can’t hurt to have a 5th OFer who can actually play, you know, the outfield. Statcast has his bat as almost dead but he managed a 99 OPS+ last season, his sprint speed is still 27.8, and he was an average fielder in 2024.
Or were they thinking he might not be in line for more than a minor league deal, or some sort of split contract, and he was pure depth rather than a 26-man roster guy?
I don’t really buy it, but he’s a slight improvement over Marte, and Stearns is a freak for the relentless accumulation of small edges. The Mets offseason has leaned towards… mystifying.
If Marte, Butto and some INF help go to Padres for King/Cease and we get Pete how would you rate the off season then?
He is a guy i figured we would hear the pirates in on a little more. Given the trend of the pirates signing one year deals with people on the decline with age.. seemed like a logical target.
If the pirates got him, I think it would be an okay thing assuming they don’t have to kick much value off of the 40man.
Would be a genius winning move for the Pirates. Unfortunately their front office is stupid losers.
Grichuk Canha Pillar I like Pirates chances of making playoffs. They would have so much depth, pinch hitting, would absolutely destroy LHP.
need him in the show just for the food input he posts on his instagram page.
Canha is a true professional who can play all 4 corners and has proven to be clutch. He may not be an everyday player anymore but he can be a nice bench piece for any team. Uncle Stevie tell Stearns to sign Pete, trade for King and sign Canha in that order.
Agreed. I liked Canha when he was a Met. He’s a good clubhouse presence and valuable bench piece.
Canha at 2B would be an improvement over Gleyber, and his bat is still decent. That would keep Jazz at 3B, not a terrible fit I think.
I like Canha, if the price is right it’d be a good move to bring him back.
I’d rather him at 2b than pay Gleyber but don’t want Canha at 2b. Or 3b.
The Mets only need Canha if Alonso leaves. Otherwise, Vientos is the backup at 1B.
just wanted to throw this out there, was hoping for some feedback, a conversation. What are your thoughts on getting Mike Trout if he were to sign off on his no trade clause and put him as a full-time designated hitter for the Mets. Would you do it? personally I say yes. but I’d love to hear reasonable responses.
Don’t know. Big name good for increasing fans. Contract isn’t a issue at all. Mets can only pay what he’s worth. Issue is LA paying him to play elsewhere when they need and probably want a marketable player and lifetime Angel. If he demanded a trade sure. But he might not be that guy. Medical is a issue. No need for DH as he can still play the field as long as he can run. Hide him in corner. Angels wanting to keep him is problem. Him liking LA is problem. You can trade anyone who’s value isn’t completely destroyed.