Mark Canha's Gonna Fit in Just Fine
Versatile outfielder with a penchant for getting on base? That's gonna play..
While he’s not the flashiest of additions among the team’s new signees, former Oakland Athletics outfielder Mark Canha, who agreed to a two-year, $26.5 million deal with New York Mets ahead of the lockout, should bring an interesting dynamic to Flushing.
With the departure of Michael Conforto in free agency and a capable yet out-of-position Brandon Nimmo at the top of the centerfield depth chart, the Mets pivoted quickly, tabbing Canha and Starling Marte (four years, $78 million) to fill the gaps.
Three center-capable defenders roaming the outfield behind an elite pitching staff is a great thing. Onward.
Known for his on-base proficiency and defensive versatility in the outfield, the 32-year-old Northern California product (UC-Berkeley via San Jose) seems just as happy to be here as the Mets and the fans both are to have him.
“It’s nice to feel wanted,” Canha told the team’s media corps via Zoom this week. “And the Mets made it abundantly clear they wanted me and they demonstrated that in various ways.”
Proactivity is always a plus. See the player you want for your ballclub, get the player you want for your ballclub. So.. who is this guy, anyway?
While Canha’s 2021 stat line (.231/.358/.357, 17 homers, 115 wRC+ in 141 games; 625 PA) might not scream key addition, if you dig a little deeper, it’s easy to see why the Mets made him an early priority.
Through 2019 and 2020 (185 games; 740 PA), Canha slashed .265/.393/.483 with 31 homers, 140 wRC+. That’s surely gonna play. And though things certainly dropped off a bit from a slugging standpoint last season, a power hitter is not what the Mets brought him here to be.
As noted, Canha gets on base at a terrific clip. He’s also quite the disciplined hitter. These are the focal points. Since 2019, his 13.3% walk rate and 24.1% O-Swing rate (swings outside the strike zone) both rank 13th in MLB among qualified hitters (.355 wOBA, 42nd).
Despite the slight drop-off in production this past season, Canha’s 12.3% walk rate (19th in MLB), 24.4% O-Swing rate (12th), and 8.0% swinging-strike rate (26th) were all among the game’s elite. His splits are basically nil (117 wRC+ versus RHP since 2020, 121 wRC+ against lefties). All very, very good things.
Oh, and lest we forget, it appears Canha’s actually a better hitter with runners in scoring position, slashing .296/.408/.453 with 141 wRC+, a 15.9% strikeout rate, and a 3.9% walk rate with ducks on the pond since 2020. Love to see that.
It also appears the Mets are getting a player who’s well aware of what he brings to the table on both sides and doesn’t mind taking on team-player responsibilities.
“I’ll play wherever you need me,” Canha said, relaying what he told Mets’ brass during the signing process. “In the past, I’ve filled in for guys when they need a day off or when guys are hurt and I’ve kind of always embraced that role and take pride in my athleticism.”
Canha, an admitted food enthusiast, also seems pretty excited to jump into the fishbowl of being a pro athlete in New York City. It seems the Mets also let him in on what their plans for this offseason and the future were, which couldn’t have hurt.
“I think I was ready for the big stage,” he added. “New York’s a big stage and I want that big stage and to show the world what I can do. I kind of got the impression that the Mets were gonna be going for it and I wanted to play for a competitor. I liked everything I was hearing.”
As are we, Mark. LFGM.
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