The New York Mets have made headlines again by signing free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning to a one-year contract worth $4.25 million, which is pending a physical. This contract, reported first by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, includes up to $1 million in performance bonuses.
Canning, 28, is not new to the major leagues, having spent the entirety of his career with the Los Angeles Angels before briefly being traded to the Atlanta Braves. He made his major-league debut with the Angels back in 2019 as part of their roster and was recognized as one of the more promising pitching prospects due to his strong collegiate background as a second-round draft pick from UCLA.
Last season, Canning made 32 appearances and posted a 5.19 ERA with 130 strikeouts over 171.2 innings of work. His performance, unfortunately, has been marred by inconsistencies and injuries throughout his career, including missing the entirety of the 2022 season due to a back stress fracture. Despite these struggles, the Mets see potential, hoping to turn the tide on Canning’s fluctuates performances.
Prior to his shoulder injury, Canning had shown glimpses of his capabilities, with his best season being the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign where he posted a notable 3.99 ERA over 11 starts, earning himself a Gold Glove award. His transition to the Mets aligns with their strategy of maintaining a deep and versatile pitching lineup.
With the addition of Canning, the Mets are now bolstering their pitching rotation. After the losses of key figure Luis Severino and with the uncertainty surrounding several pitchers, including Paul Blackburn’s back condition and the transition of Clay Holmes from relief to starting duties, the signing of Canning adds valuable depth. The Mets aim to find solid production from pitchers who can step up, especially since they’ve invested significantly this offseason, highlighted by their high-profile addition of star Juan Soto to strengthen their roster.
Baseball operations president David Stearns emphasized during the recent Winter Meetings the importance of depth, stating, “That’s something we talk about — the desire to have eight to ten starting pitchers we feel really confident about,” indicating the team's willingness to take calculated risks on players like Canning.
The Mets' 2025 vision clearly demonstrates their ambition for a competitive team, with pitching remaining the focus of their offseason activities. Aside from Canning, they also added Frankie Montas through a two-year deal and Clay Holmes on another significant multi-year contract. Montas is expected to take on the starting role, after being signed to solidify the Mets' rotation.The commitment displayed by the Mets suggests they’re gearing up for another deep postseason push.
Expectations for Canning include contention for the fifth rotation spot against Tylor Megill and possibly long-relief potential if necessary. Despite slowdowns like his career-low strikeout rate of 17.6% last season, Canning's durability over two seasons with nearly 300 innings pitched is seen as promising for the Mets as they assess their options.
The Mets’ decision to sign Canning is marked with cautious optimism. Head coach Buck Showalter noted how the organization wants to maximize its pitching talent and explore all prospective options. With Canning capable of throwing mid-90s fastballs along with his diverse pitching arsenal, including sliders and changeups, there lies hope he can regain the form required to be effective against strong competition.
Although it remains to be seen whether Canning will live up to his potential amid previous setbacks, the Mets have created considerable expectations by investing heavily and strategically this offseason. The team has positioned itself among others eyeing the coveted World Series title, challenging past postseason struggles.
For Canning, his tenure with the Mets may present him with the opportunity for redemption and consistency. It will be interesting to see how the organization leverages its pitching lab to transform him back to his former self. With only time left before the matches begin, Canning stands to become one of the key stories of the Mets’ upcoming season.
