While a lot of the attention this offseason for the Mets has been on retaining Brandon Nimmo, it's time to take a look at one of the other positions in the outfield -- left field. Don't get me wrong. When the Mets signed little known Mark Canha last year to a multiyear deal, there was a little bit of head scratching from Mets fans who unlike Billy Eppler did not see Oakland for 19 games per season. The amount paid seemed high but not excessive, so no one really was all that upset about the transaction.
As a player, Canha shows excellent plate discipline and makes the pitcher work very hard to get him out. He fields his position competently and the Mets felt he would be a good relatively low cost way of adding OBP and some power to the lineup which would be without Michael Conforto for the first time (other than his many injury stints that rendered him unable to play).
On a typical year Canha hits for a .248 average with 21 HRs and 73 RBIs. The latter two numbers are decent though the batting average below .250 had some wondering what it was that the front office saw in the man. In his first New York Mets season he was quite a bit better with the batting average, finishing at .266 though the run production was down with just 13 HRs and 61 RBIs.
As he enters the 2023 season, people have every reason to believe that the left field position is still his to retain as the rest of the Mets outfield options after Nimmo and Starling Marte are lackluster at best. I'll amend that assessment depending on whether you consider Jeff McNeil an infielder or an outfielder. Still, it would seem the Mets need to look long and hard for better alternatives than Tyler Naquin, Darin Ruf, Travis Jankowski, Ender Inciarte, Terrance Gore, Nick Plummer and Khalil Lee.
So what happens if the Mets do manage to secure one of the high profile middle infielders like Trea Turner or Carlos Correa this offseason? Would that push batting champion Jeff McNeil into left field? If so, are the new Mets the type of club to keep a $12 million benchwarmer?
Now to hear many Mets fans tell it, Steve Cohen will do whatever spending it takes to go further into the postseason, so if it means Canha becomes a sub or part of a DH platoon, they're happy with that.
Personally, I think a guy with a second year on his deal might be someone the Mets try to parlay in trade during the winter as you typically don't build for the future with guys turning 34 who don't have any standout tool other than OBP which he finished at .367. For a frame of reference, Brandon Nimmo delivered the exact same mark.
If Steve Cohen is serious about building both for now and in the future, then a $12 million bench player isn't all that outrageous. The Mets are very thin in outfielders in the minor leagues, so the reinforcements need to come from the outside while raiding other clubs' rosters for major league ballplayers or AAA options who are blocked from promotion.
It's conceivable that the Mets will look for single tool players like a designated runner and Gold Glove level spare fielders. However, at this point it's still pretty much up in the air who, other than Starling Marte, is guaranteed to be patrolling the outfield on Opening Day.
12 comments:
I think you keep Canha at least to trading deadline. My guess is all of 2023.
He is another Citifield sufferer…at home, .248/.355/.362, on road, .282/.378/.437. That is a big difference. Broken record…move fences in about 5 feet in some places, a little more down the lines.
I believe Cahna has earned a corner outfield slot in 2023.
My worries are who plays center.
From Day 1, I have seen Canha as an excellent 4th outfielder, worthy of 400-450 ABs. When putting an outfield together, you should almost think of it as 4 starters, because you need 4 dependable guys.
The Mets got very, very lucky with health in 2022. Nimmo on field all season, Marte the same until the HBP.
Mets offense needs to improve. Where are you going to do it? Locked in at 1B, 2B, SS. We seem to be upgrading at Catcher/DH w/ Alvarez. And with Baty & Escobar around at 3B, that seems more or less solid.
One could argue to bring in a 2B and move McNeil to OF, but it's hard to see how that helps address the power issue.
Need to bring in a big bat -- via trade, probably -- and hopefully someone who can play outfield. I don't let Mark Canha get in the way of that.
Jimmy
I think Canha brings value to this team. As stated very well by Reese, Canha brings a great approach to the plate. He had a great OBP at .367 and his production to me was outstanding given his typical place in Buck's lineup. What he also brings to the Mets is versatility. He can play any of the three OF positions and has the ability to play 1B in a pinch. That's a pretty good 3rd or 4th outfielder, so I say he's a keeper.
Note: I was disappointed in Canha's defense, because I had understood that he can play a decent CF and I don't think that's at all the case. He's a good LFer, not even Very Good.
I like him a lot. But he's not a CF.
He's also a guy who leads the league in HBP, consistently near the top. It's part of his game -- a dangerous game, as we've seen. Teams need 4 high-quality outfielders because of the injury & rest factor.
Jimmy
"rest factor"
Lol
Game sure has changed since Amaros, Snider, and Furrillo
Could you picture Willie Mays or Hank Aaron asking out of the game because they have a boo-boo?
Agree that Canha has value and you need depth on the roster to cover the inevitable injuries that crop up (see Marte last year, or Nimmo in most other years). Despite his salary, he's someone that makes the team better and should be kept.
I think Canha's role in 2023 will depend largely on where the Mets add to the roster and who leaves. For example, if Nimmo returns, then Canha will probably be your LF'er (much like 2022). If Nimmo goes and the Mets bring in another power bat in the OF (Judge?), then Canha is probably your 4th OF'er (unless he can play CF regularly, which I doubt).
Or, if the Mets bring in a power hitting infielder (Correa, Turner), then McNeil moves to LF and Canha is your 4th OF'er, etc....
Another angle here might be this. The Mets have three younger players who need a serious look in spring training. Mark Vientos, Ronnie Mauricio, and Jake Magnum.
Owner Steve Cohen might be thinking differently of course, JD Martinez and such. But 2023 Mets' left field for one of the above starting younger players may be the wisest way to go. And then use Canha in a deal elsewhere and for something the Mets may need for their 2023 roster.
In my opinion, if Baty is the regular 3B Escobar slides over to LF. That makes Canha expendable.
The bulk of the Mets' offseason concentration needs to be with the starting pitching. The Mets need restores a lefty/righty balance for 2023. It has been absent here far too long actually.
Carlos Rodon has an opt-out clause with the SF Giants at current. The man is the perfect lefty combo to go with righty Max Scherzer top of the rotation. Carlos has three solid pitches, plus throws a 98+ mph fastball. I would advise the NY Mets managment to go after Carlos Rodon with everything it takes to bring him here.
After that, the three slot could be a re-sign of Noah Syndergaard, if both sides are agreeable (not sure) or bringing a healthy Michael Wacha back to Citi Field. With Boston, Michael had a nice 11-2 record, 3.32 ERA, and 1.12 WHIP although he did tire some later second half.
For the four slot, All Star Tajuan Walker who had a nice 12-5, 3.49 ERA, with a 1.19 '22 stat sheet. He is solid. In the five slot, I like lefty David Peterson after showing steady improvement most of 2022. I think David from here will be nothing but upside.
I like the too often out injured and slightly overlooked Drew Smith for the six starting role this team needs to add on to keep everyone possibly healthier all season long. His mound presence and composure while displaying excellent pitching mechanics and pitch selection sold me years ago that Drew could be a three starter down the road. His career MLB stats are 7-6 won/lost, a 3.24 ERA, with a nice 1.19 WHIP. I just simply need to see a larger window with Drew to prove this.
Now, the way to have depth all the '23 season would be with having two long relievers, lefty Joey Lucchesi and righty starter Tylor Megill staying healthy. With these two longer relievers they could be also occasionally used for injury starts to the SIX man, and be kept fresh for starting fill-in roles employing bullpen sessions for them.
I like Escobar a lot. But his BA isn't that solid and Baty's could be with just as much power game, or more.
Left field may be better served with one from the Vientos, Mauricio, or Magnum group. I think the first two will have HR impact, while Magnum could be just better BA wise.
I would use Escobar as an impact bat off the bench and for infield rest substitution purposes. But play him often in this way keeping his team fresh over the course of an entire season.
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