Set up the Griffin Canning tribute video for June 17.
Okay, not really. Canning never played for the Atlanta Braves. But he may face them on the mound this season.
Canning signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
In exchange for Jorge Soler, the Braves acquired Canning on October 31. However, before Thanksgiving, the Braves announced that they would not offer Canning a contract. So he became a free agent right away.
In effect, the Canning deal was a pay dump. The Braves had no plans to have him pitch for them in 2025.
It’s unclear how Canning’s contract with the Mets compares to what the Braves would have paid him had they offered him a contract. Canning earned $2.6 million during the 2024 season.
Rosenthal said the Mets will pay him $4.25 million in 2025.
But by moving Soler and then not tendering Canning, the Braves saved $32 million over the next two seasons.
Canning finished 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA with the Angels the previous season. His 99 earned runs allowed were the highest in the American League. He also had a 1.398 WHIP and 130 strikeouts over 171.2 innings.
He had an ERA above 5.00 in 2021 as well. However, his career record is 25-34 with a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
The Mets will make their first trip to Truist Park in mid-June of next year. Braves Country will have their first opportunity to thank Canning for assisting the team in dumping salaries on June 17.
All joking aside, it will also be Canning’s first opportunity to face the team that did not think he was worth a few million dollars to remain on the roster.
The Braves will play three games against the Mets in Atlanta from June 17 to 19. They will then go to Citi Field for a four-game set from June 23 to 26.
If Canning is healthy and in the Mets’ starting rotation, he will likely start one of those games.
