Can Griffin Canning Be A Cheap Middle-Of-The-Rotation Option For The Crew?

Griffin Canning, a right-hander out of UCLA, has been plagued by inconsistency and injury. After showing promise in his first two seasons with an ERA+ of 101 and 114, respectively, in 2019 and 2020, he suffered a lower back stress fracture late in 2021 and was shelved for the remainder of the campaign. The same injury forced him to miss the 2022 season, with Canning electing to rehab his back instead of undergoing surgery.

Prior to the 2023 season, the Angels and Canning agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract and avoided arbitration. Canning gave the Halos their money’s worth, making 22 starts and posting an ERA+ of 103 while striking out batters at a rate of 25.9%, allowing only 6.7% walks across 127 innings.

The solid season earned Canning a $2.6 million contract for 2024. Canning made 31 starts during the season and struggled to the tune of an 81 ERA+ while whiffing only 17.6% of the batters he faced. On Halloween, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jorge Soler. Three weeks later, without throwing a pitch for Atlanta, Canning was non-tendered by the Braves.

A healthy Canning is a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter and could be had for a reasonable deal. Per Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets have shown interest in Canning. Brewer Fanatic writer Jason Wang says that the Brewers have excessive pieces in the rotation. That may be so, but could a healthy Canning be among the better choices?

Canning is also an elite fielder on the mound, having won the AL Gold Glove Award in 2020 and was nominated for the same honor in 2024 (won by Seth Lugo). Here is an example of his defensive prowess.

Given that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is a low-risk, high-reward kind of guy, is it possible that the Brewers are thinking the same thing about Canning?

Share your thoughts about the 28-year-old righty. Are his best days behind him, or does he have a few solid years left?