According to NY Post Sports reporter Jon Heyman, both the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets have expressed interest in free agent right-hander Griffin Canning.
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A former second-round pick, Griffin Canning once ranked among the top prospects in the Los Angeles Angels system. He has flashed that upside at the major league level but never maintained consistent results over a full season.
Injuries played a major role in that inconsistency. Canning has dealt with elbow, groin, and calf issues during his career. He also suffered a torn Achilles tendon last season, which halted his momentum.
The Angels traded Canning to the Atlanta Braves early in the 2024–25 offseason as part of a salary-clearing move. Atlanta later non-tendered him.
Strong Start With the Mets Before Injury
After signing a one-year deal with the New York Mets, Canning opened the season as a strong value play. He claimed a rotation spot after Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas suffered spring injuries.
Through his first nine starts, Canning posted a 2.47 ERA. He paired slightly above-average strikeout and walk rates with a 55.2 percent ground-ball rate. While some batted-ball luck helped, advanced metrics supported his performance. Both SIERA (3.84) and FIP (3.92) viewed him as a solid mid-rotation arm.
Midseason Struggles and Season-Ending Injury
Canning hit trouble in mid-May. He walked 18 batters over his next 26 1/3 innings and struggled to regain command.
During a road start against Atlanta, Canning tore his Achilles while finishing a pitch. Trainers helped him off the field, and he later underwent season-ending surgery.
He finished the 2025 season with a 3.77 ERA, a 21.3 percent strikeout rate, and a 10.7 percent walk rate. His 50.9 percent ground-ball rate stood out. That mark represented a major shift from his fly-ball profile with the Angels. The Mets adjusted his pitch mix, along with the shape and release of his slider and changeup.
Contract Outlook: Entering Free Agency
Canning now appears headed for another one-year deal. He should exceed last winter’s $4.25 million guarantee if he remains healthy.
Jon Heyman reports that Canning should be ready around Opening Day. His availability for the season’s first weeks remains uncertain.
Why the Mets and Cardinals Fit
The Mets make sense given their familiarity with Canning and his early success under their staff. The club seeks rotation depth and remains open to trade discussions involving Kodai Senga and David Peterson.
The St. Louis Cardinals may offer an even better fit. St. Louis has entered a retooling phase and needs innings stability. Canning could provide upside while also becoming a potential trade asset.
The Cardinals’ current rotation includes Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, Kyle Leahy, Dustin May, Richard Fitts, and Hunter Dobbins. Several prospects could debut in 2026, but uncertainty remains. Adding a veteran arm like Canning would bring flexibility and depth
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