Spring training is in full swing, but MLB teams aren’t done tweaking their rosters just yet. The Milwaukee Brewers made a move Sunday, bringing back a familiar face to boost their outfield depth.
Mark Canha is heading back to Milwaukee on a minor-league deal, as first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The 36-year-old veteran split last season between three teams – the Brewers, Tigers, and Giants. He put up decent numbers at the plate, hitting .242 with a .344 on-base percentage. While he only knocked 7 homers, he showed he can still swipe a bag, stealing 7 bases in 125 games.
It wasn’t Canha’s best year though. His overall performance was worth just 0.6 Wins Above Replacement – his lowest since 2017.
So where does he fit with the Brewers? He’ll likely compete for a bench spot, but there could be more opportunity than that. He might end up sharing time with young lefty Sal Frelick in the outfield, especially after Blake Perkins went down with a broken shin.
There’s one catch though – Canha doesn’t hit for much power anymore, which isn’t ideal for a corner outfielder. But the Brewers might not mind too much, since they’re already playing Frelick who isn’t exactly a slugger either.
The contract comes with some interesting wrinkles. Since Canha’s a veteran who finished last year in the majors and signed early enough, he gets special rights. The Brewers will have to make a decision five days before Opening Day: either put him on the team, pay him extra to stay in the minors, or let him become a free agent.
For a team looking to compete in a tough NL Central, having a reliable veteran like Canha as insurance isn’t a bad idea at all.
