Monday, November 15, 2021

Free agent analysis: Mark Canha

 A number of analysts are linking Mark Canha to the Cleveland Guradians this off-season.   The Guardians certainly have a need for an outfielder and that is Canha. 

There are really 3 issues I have with signing Canha:

1. Cost: Canha is likely to make $24-28 million over 2 years.  That seems steep for his level of production.

2. Age: Canha will be 33 when the 2022 season starts

3. Production:  Although a darling of some analytics systems, Canha's production (as measured by BA, OPB and SLG), has gone down steadily in the last 3 years.  His OBP was buoyed by an unsustainable 27 HBP in 2021 and if he tries to keep that up injury risks increase.  His Ks went up to a career high in 2021.

I would not sign him to anything more than a Cesar Hernandez-type deal (1 year at $7-8 million). 

In looking at it Bradley Zimmer, if he stays healthy,  offers more position flexibility and not that much worse production than Canha and he is 4 years younger and much cheaper.   Not that I would want Zimmer as my starting OFer but, just sayin'.  Zimmer may have more in the tank than Canha does.

So, all things considered,  I vote no to Mark Canha and I think we should go for a bigger trade to bring n a young outfielder like Juan Soto.   We certainly have the prospects to make that happen.

My latest Soto trade proposal:  

Guardians get: Juan Soto and Dustin Saenz

Nationals get: Tyler Freeman, Daniel Espino, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan and Juan Mota


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