Griffin Canning has secured a one-year contract worth $4.25 million with the New York Mets, adding depth to their restructured pitching rotation. The 28-year-old right-handed pitcher has potential to earn an additional $1 million through performance incentives, which include $250,000 bonuses for reaching certain milestones in games started at 22, 25, 28, and 31. Additionally, he can receive a $25,000 bonus if he secures a Gold Glove award.
Last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Canning experienced setbacks, finishing with a record of 6 wins and 13 losses alongside a 5.19 ERA. He was subsequently traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jorge Soler, the team’s outfielder and designated hitter, on October 31. However, his tenure with Atlanta was short-lived as he was removed from the roster shortly after and became a free agent when the team did not extend a contract for the 2025 season.
Canning’s career statistics reflect a record of 25 wins and 34 losses over five years, with a cumulative ERA of 4.78 in 94 starts and five games in relief; all of which were with the Angels. He famously earned a Gold Glove in 2020, although he had to sit out the 2022 season due to a back injury.
In the previous season, Canning achieved a personal best by pitching 171 and 2/3 innings across 31 starts and one relief game, amid a challenging season for the Angels, who finished last in the American League West with a record of 63-99. He also set new career highs for home runs (31) and walks (66) allowed during that time.
With Canning’s addition, the Mets are setting up a likely rotation that includes established pitchers such as Kodai Senga and David Peterson along with recent acquisitions Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes. Other contenders like Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, and Jose Buttó may also compete for spots in the pitching lineup.
Despite an unexpected appearance in the National League Championship Series this year, the Mets have seen three veteran starters—Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana—enter free agency. Severino has already moved on, signing a substantial $67 million contract for three years with the Athletics.
Canning originally joined Major League Baseball when he was selected in the second round of the 2017 amateur draft by the Angels after playing at UCLA. His journey now continues in the Big Apple as he seeks to make an impact with the Mets.