BREAKING NEWS: Griffin Canning Joins the Mets on a One-Year, $4.25M Deal After GM Carlos Mendoza announced Full Analysis Below…..
In a significant development within Major League Baseball’s offseason, the New York Mets have agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.25 million with right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning, a former member of the Los Angeles Angels. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, this move signals the Mets’ ongoing efforts to bolster their pitching staff and fortify their roster for the 2024 season.
The deal represents a potential new chapter for Canning, who has faced his fair share of obstacles but also shown flashes of promise throughout his young career. This signing follows the end of Canning’s tenure with the Angels, where he demonstrated flashes of brilliance but struggled to stay consistent and healthy. For the Mets, this contract could be seen as an opportunity to take a calculated risk on a pitcher who still has considerable upside.
Griffin Canning: A Career in Transition
Canning’s baseball journey has been one marked by challenges and achievements in equal measure. Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Canning quickly made an impression as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. His impressive collegiate career and strong minor league numbers propelled him onto the Angels’ radar, and by 2019, he made his MLB debut.
Despite his promising start, Canning’s journey with the Angels has been anything but smooth. The 27-year-old right-hander showed early signs of being a reliable starting pitcher, featuring a fastball that sits in the low 90s along with a breaking ball and changeup that, at times, could generate swings and misses. His rookie season in 2019 was solid, with a 4.58 ERA in 18 starts, and many were optimistic about his future in the rotation.
However, his career has been plagued by injuries, most notably a back issue that cost him much of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. These injury setbacks were a key factor in limiting his overall development and consistency as a big league starter. In 2023, Canning appeared to have turned a corner, making 24 starts and posting a respectable 4.70 ERA with a 9.2 K/9 rate.
While his overall numbers were decent, there were still areas of concern. His fastball velocity dipped slightly, and his command was inconsistent at times. Still, the 2023 season showed enough promise to generate interest from multiple clubs, including the Mets, who have been actively looking to revamp their pitching staff after a disappointing 2023 campaign.
Canning’s Strengths and Potential Fit with the Mets
Canning brings a number of strengths to his new team in New York, where he will join a Mets rotation that has seen some volatility in recent years. One of his most notable attributes is his strikeout ability. In 2023, Canning posted a 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings rate, which is an encouraging figure for any pitcher. His slider and curveball, when on, can be devastating weapons against opposing batters. These secondary pitches give him the ability to induce swings and misses, a key trait for any pitcher hoping to survive in the high-powered offenses of today’s MLB.
Moreover, Canning’s groundball-to-flyball ratio (1.56) suggests that, when effective, he can keep the ball in the park and avoid the big home runs that have often plagued many pitchers in the league. This groundball tendency should serve him well at Citi Field, a park known for its spacious outfield and relatively favorable dimensions for pitchers. This could make Canning a good fit in New York, particularly if the Mets can help him refine his command and keep him healthy.
While Canning’s injury history is a notable concern, his medical records in recent years show improvement, and the Mets are hoping to get the most out of him in a full season. With proper maintenance, Canning could provide a valuable middle-of-the-rotation option for the Mets, potentially slotting in as the team’s No. 4 or No. 5 starter.
The Mets are also hopeful that Canning’s ability to limit walks — he posted a 3.0 BB/9 rate in 2023 — will help him avoid some of the pitfalls that have hindered other pitchers on their staff. His control has always been a work in progress, but Canning’s ability to minimize free passes bodes well for his overall success in a more pitcher-friendly environment like Citi Field.
Why the Mets? The Need for Starting Pitching Depth
The Mets have long been one of the most aggressive teams in the league, particularly when it comes to building a competitive pitching staff. In recent years, the Mets have invested heavily in acquiring top-tier pitchers through both free agency and trades, and they will continue to focus on improving their pitching depth as they look to contend for the postseason.
Despite having some high-profile pitchers like Justin Verlander (who was traded away in 2023) and Max Scherzer (also traded midseason), the Mets have struggled to maintain stability in their rotation. Injuries and inconsistent performance have plagued the club, which has led to several of their top starters underperforming in 2023. The team’s rotation depth was tested severely, and the lack of consistency at the back end of the rotation hurt their playoff aspirations.
For the Mets, signing a pitcher like Griffin Canning offers both upside and insurance. If he can stay healthy and continue to progress, he could provide much-needed stability at the back end of the Mets’ rotation. At the very least, his arrival offers depth and competition in spring training, providing the Mets with more options as they enter the 2024 season.
Additionally, Canning’s relatively low-cost contract — for just $4.25 million — is a bargain for a pitcher with his potential. Given the large payroll commitments the Mets have already made, particularly after their huge investments in Verlander, Scherzer, and other high-priced stars, signing Canning to a one-year deal allows the Mets to address an area of need without making a significant long-term commitment. This flexibility gives the team room to maneuver in other areas of the roster, including bolstering their offense or adding more bullpen arms.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Griffin Canning and the Mets?
Griffin Canning’s new deal with the Mets could be the perfect opportunity for him to revitalize his career. With the support of a competitive team and a solid pitching staff, he could return to the form that made him one of the top pitching prospects in the Angels’ system just a few years ago. The Mets, for their part, are hoping that this low-risk, high-reward signing will pay dividends in the form of a solid, dependable middle-of-the-rotation arm.
The Mets’ strategy is clear: after a 2023 season in which they finished 4th in the National League East and failed to meet their high expectations, they are looking for ways to reinvigorate their roster. The addition of Canning provides an opportunity to bring in a talented pitcher with potential upside without significantly disrupting their financial plans. In a division as competitive as the NL East, every move will count as the Mets aim to return to the postseason in 2024.
For Canning, this is a chance to prove that he can stay healthy and return to his former level of excellence. If he can find success with the Mets, it could be a springboard to a more lucrative contract in the coming seasons. For now, though, he will focus on proving himself in the Mets’ spring training camp and earning a spot in the team’s rotation for 2024.
While Canning’s future is still uncertain, one thing is clear: both he and the Mets have everything to gain from this partnership. The upcoming season will be a critical one for both the young pitcher and the organization, as they look to write a new chapter in their respective histories.
Conclusion: A Key Move in a Busy Offseason
The signing of Griffin Canning is just one of many moves that the Mets will make in an effort to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. With the front office’s focus on building a championship-caliber team, the addition of Canning provides a sense of direction as the team prepares for the 2024 season. For Canning, this is an opportunity to prove his worth on a bigger stage, while the Mets are hoping they’ve found a hidden gem capable of making a difference in their quest to reclaim a spot in the postseason.
In the coming months, the Mets’ pitching staff will undergo its final transformations, and Canning’s performance could have a major impact on the team’s chances. Fans will be watching closely as the Mets’ offseason moves begin to take shape, with this signing representing both hope and a new opportunity for both player and team.
