Griffin Canning’s future in Major League Baseball is at a crossroads, and it’s sparking some serious conversations among fans and teams alike. But here’s where it gets intriguing: the Cardinals and Mets are among the teams showing interest in the free agent right-hander, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Canning, who spent the 2025 season with the Mets after signing a one-year deal, started the year on a high note before hitting a rough patch and suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Yes, injuries have been a recurring theme in his career, from elbow and groin issues to that Achilles tear, but his potential remains undeniable. And this is the part most people miss: despite the setbacks, Canning has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him a highly regarded prospect with the Angels.
Let’s rewind a bit. Canning, a former second-round pick, was traded by the Angels to the Braves in a salary dump during the 2024-25 offseason, only to be non-tendered weeks later. The Mets took a chance on him, and it initially paid off. With injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, Canning stepped into the rotation and delivered. Through his first nine starts, he posted a stellar 2.47 ERA, paired with solid strikeout and walk rates, and an impressive 55.2% ground-ball rate. Even advanced metrics like SIERA (3.84) and FIP (3.92) suggested he was a reliable mid-rotation arm. But then came mid-May, when his control faltered, and that devastating injury against the Braves cut his season short. His 2025 campaign ended with a 3.77 ERA, but the shift toward being a ground-ball pitcher was a notable evolution from his fly-ball days with the Angels—thanks in part to adjustments made by the Mets’ staff.
Here’s the controversial part: Is Canning worth another one-year deal, and how much should teams invest in a player with his injury history? Heyman reports that Canning is expected to be ready around Opening Day, but will he need time on the IL to start the season? That uncertainty could impact his market value, though he’s likely to command more than the $4.25MM he earned last year—assuming he’s healthy.
The Mets and Cardinals both make sense as potential landing spots, but for different reasons. The Mets, who clearly valued Canning last winter, could use him for rotation depth, especially if they trade Kodai Senga or David Peterson. Meanwhile, the Cardinals, in the early stages of a rebuild, could see Canning as a veteran arm with upside—someone who could pitch his way into trade chip status by midseason. With Sonny Gray gone and Miles Mikolas a free agent, their rotation is a mix of young, unproven talent and recent acquisitions. Adding Canning would bring experience and potential stability to a team in transition.
But here’s the question for you: Is Griffin Canning a risky bet or a smart investment? Do the Mets or Cardinals stand to gain more from signing him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to divide opinions.
