The New York Mets are having an impressive offseason.
To no one’s surprise, of all the moves the team has made so far, the two that are getting the majority of the attention are the deals for Max Scherzer and Starling Marte.
That’s a given.
But those aren’t the only moves the Mets have made.
The club’s signing of Mark Canha is another, and it’s a very underrated one.
Outfielder Mark Canha and the New York Mets are nearing a deal, league sources tell ESPN. Canha, 32, is a versatile, high-on-base guy who can play all three outfield positions and first base. When finalized as expected, the Mets will have gotten better.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 27, 2021
Canha will actually bring a lot to the table for the Mets.
To make the signing even better, it’s a multi-year deal with a very reasonable AAV.
Mark Canha official with Mets: $2M signing bonus, $12M in 2022, $10.5M in ‘23. Club option in ‘24 for $11.5M or $2M buyout.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2021
Folks in New York should be very excited about this deal.
What Are The Mets Getting In Canha?
Canha is an on-base machine.
For a guy who has spent his entire pro career with the Oakland Athletics, that doesn’t really come as a huge surprise.
The 32-year-old has maintained an on-base percentage of .377 from the beginning of the 2019 season to today.
For reference, the MLB average for on-base percentage was .317 in 2021, .322 in 2020, and .323 in 2019.
That’s not the only thing he’s good for, however.
He hits for power pretty regularly.
Over that same aforementioned span (2019-present), he’s averaging 24 home runs per 162 games.
2nd deck shot for Mark Canha 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/BJwCjl2ewM
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 15, 2021
His ability to get on base and hit for power have done wonders for his OPS+ measures over the years.
He has a career OPS+ of 114, and since 2019, he has maintained a 127 mark.
Any team in baseball would be happy to get that sort of production from a guy who’s playing on an AAV of roughly $13 million.
Canha is also a versatile defender.
You can stick him anywhere in the outfield or at first base.
Versatility is always a valuable thing, so that’s just another reason to be excited about this signing.
It Sounds Like The Mets Aren’t Done Yet
Even with all the noise the Mets have made this offseason, it sounds like they’re far from finished.
According to a report, the team is still looking to add another starting pitcher and one more hitter.
After signing the biggest deal (by AAV, $43,3M. Scherzer), the Mets are looking for another starting pitcher and one more bat
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2021
New York is clearly doing everything in its power to ensure that its 2022 season will end with a trip to the postseason.
The organization hasn’t cracked the playoffs since 2016 and remains without a World Series title since 1986.
Fans are restless, but they’re being given a handful of reasons to smile this offseason.
If the Mets do end up going after another arm and bat, who might they target?
Well, without much information available, it’s tough to tell whether or not New York is thinking big or small with its remaining signings.
But even if the club is looking for some smaller deals, there are some quality options out there.
Rich Hill remains a free agent, and he seems capable of adding some value to a pitching staff despite his age.
The same can be said about J.A. Happ, who’s also looking for a home.
As far as hitters go, it’s tougher to predict where the Mets might look.
Perhaps a versatile guy like Chris Taylor is what they’re looking for, as he’s capable of playing a variety of defensive positions.
NEXT: The Mets Have Proven They Have No Budget