Cardinals and Mets Target Griffin Canning in Free-Agent Hunt

This article digs into the rising free-agent buzz around right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning. The Cardinals, Mets, and White Sox are all reportedly circling. After a promising but shortened 2025 season—thanks to a torn Achilles—Canning faces a real crossroads. Teams are weighing his early flashes, mechanical tweaks, and how he’s bouncing back from injury as they eye him for rotation depth or maybe something more.

Griffin Canning’s Unusual Road to Free Agency

Canning’s path to free agency hasn’t exactly been a straight line. He started as a promising arm with the Angels, then the Braves traded for him, only to non-tender him in the 2024-25 offseason.

That twist landed him in a classic “prove-it” situation, so he grabbed a one-year, make-good deal with the Mets. The Mets saw a chance to rebuild his value. Early on, it looked like a smart move.

With some rotation openings, Canning jumped in and pitched some of the best innings of his career.

A Strong Start That Turned Heads

In his first nine starts of 2025, Canning posted a sharp 2.47 ERA. He paired solid strikeout and walk numbers with a hefty 55.2% ground-ball rate.

That’s a big shift from his old fly-ball tendencies. Advanced stats like a 3.84 SIERA and 3.92 FIP hinted at some good fortune, but still backed up the idea that Canning looked like a real mid-rotation starter.

Adjustments, Analytics, and a New Pitching Profile

Canning’s turnaround didn’t just happen. The Mets tinkered with his pitch mix and changed how he released his slider and changeup.

Suddenly, hitters were pounding the ball into the ground instead of lofting it. Scouts started to buy that this wasn’t just a hot streak—it was real growth.

Midseason Struggles and a Devastating Injury

Things went sideways in mid-May. Canning’s command vanished, and over 26 1/3 innings, he walked 18 batters.

Before he could iron things out, disaster struck. He tore his Achilles during a start against the Braves, which ended his season right there.

Canning wrapped up 2025 with a 3.77 ERA, a 21.3% strikeout rate, and a 10.7% walk rate. Not bad, considering how things ended.

Why the Cardinals, Mets, and White Sox Are Interested

Jon Heyman reports that Canning’s drawing legit interest from the Cardinals, Mets, and White Sox. Each team has a different angle.

The Mets already know what he can do and might see him as useful rotation depth, especially if he gets back to full strength by Opening Day.

A Sensible Fit in St. Louis

The Cardinals might be the most interesting fit. They’re in a bit of a transition, and their rotation has plenty of question marks.

Canning could bring some stability and, if he pitches well, maybe even become a trade chip at the deadline. There’s some upside there, and honestly, it’s hard not to see the appeal.

Contract Outlook and 2026 Expectations

After the way 2025 wrapped up, Canning probably faces another one-year deal. If his medicals look good, though, he could land more than the $4.25 million he got last winter.

Heyman says Canning should be ready “around” Opening Day. Still, a short stint on the injured list might happen, depending on how spring training goes.

For teams that want affordable pitching with some upside, Griffin Canning is a calculated risk. If his health holds up, he might really deliver.

 
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