The Mets have reached an agreement with Griffin Canning on a one-year, $4.25 million free agent deal, pending a physical, with the contract including an additional $1 million in performance bonuses, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. With four open roster spots, no corresponding move is required. Canning is represented by Wasserman.
This marks Canning's third team of the offseason. After being traded from the Angels to the Braves in a one-for-one deal for Jorge Soler, the Braves non-tendered him due to his projected $5.1 million salary in his final year of arbitration eligibility. This made Canning a free agent for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old will now compete for a spot in the Mets’ rotation, though with over five years of service time, he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent.
Canning was drafted in the second round by the Angels in 2017 and quickly rose to their MLB roster, showing potential as a mid-rotation starter. His best season came in 2020, posting a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts. However, his career has been marred by injuries, including a back issue that caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. He has mostly stayed healthy the past two years, though his performance has declined. In 2023, he posted a 5.19 ERA across a career-high 171.2 innings, with his strikeout rate dipping and his fastball showing decreased velocity.
Canning brings a four-pitch mix (fastball, changeup, slider, curveball) to the Mets, who will aim to help him regain his form. He is the third potential starter added by New York this offseason, joining Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes. Montas, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Holmes are expected to be in the Opening Day rotation, while Canning, Tylor Megill, and Paul Blackburn will compete for the fifth spot.
The Mets are also still exploring the market for additional starting depth, with ongoing interest in Sean Manaea, Jack Flaherty, and Nick Pivetta. Their current roster includes salary commitments that bring their competitive balance tax (CBT) number to around $255 million, with flexibility to surpass $300 million in spending. The tax hit on Canning will be $2.125 million, bringing the total investment to $6.375 million before performance incentives.
