Todd RosiakMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
WASHINGTON – Seeking to lengthen their lineup and add versatility without mortgaging the future, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired veteran outfielder Mark Canha and cash from the New York Mets on Monday night in exchange for minor-league pitcher Justin Jarvis.
The right-handed-hitting Canha batted .245 with six home runs and 29 runs batted in with an OPS of .725 in 89 games for the Mets while playing both corner outfield spots.
He's in the second year of a two-year, $26.5 million contract that includes an $11.5 million team option for 2024 with a $2 million buyout.
"Mark brings a productive veteran bat and versatility to the roster as he can play both corner outfield spots and first base," general manager Matt Arnold said. "He has valuable postseason experience, and we look forward to him being a major contributor for us down the stretch."
Mark Canha's playing time has decreased this season
Canha, 34, hit at least 13 homers and drove in at least 52 runs in four of his previous five seasons but saw his playing time curtailed this year in New York after playing 141 in 2021 and 140 games in 2022.
"We see some signs here with this guy where we think there are certainly areas for growth for him in the second half," Arnold said.
His best season came in 2019 with the Oakland A's, when he hit .273/26/58/.913 in 126 games.
Canha's best asset has been his discipline as a hitter; his strikeout and chase rates are both in the 80th percentile in the major leagues and his walk rate is in the 77th percentile. He also has 66th percentile speed.
For his career, Canha has logged a .348 on-base percentage. A big part of that figure has been Canha's uncanny ability to be hit by pitches. He led the majors in that category in both 2021 (27 times) and 2022 (28).
How does Mark Canha fit with the Brewers?
Canha's ability to play right field should enable Sal Frelick to see more time in center. By playing him in left, manager Craig Counsell can afford to give Christian Yelich a few extra days off his feet while serving as designated hitter.
He also provides another option at first base beyond Carlos Santana, who was acquired at the outset of Milwaukee's current road trip, and Rowdy Tellez, who is still several weeks away from returning from the injured list.
"(Right) is probably the most likely," Arnold said. "But he has experience at all three. He's even played third base in the past. But I think honestly, it's mostly going to be outfield, first base and DH."
Canha does bring postseason experience with him (2018, 2019 and 2020 with Oakland and 2022 with New York). He is also a .364 hitter with runners in scoring position and two outs and .385 in the ninth inning.
According to a report, the Brewers will only be on the hook for the major-league minimum portion of Canha's salary.
What did the Brewers give up in the trade?
Jarvis, 23, was a fifth-round pick of the Brewers in 2018. In 17 starts between Class AA Biloxi and Class AAA Nashville this season, the right-hander went 6-6 with a 4.33 earned run average and WHIP of 1.42.
He also struck out 102 in 87 ⅓ innings.
Jarvis was considered a second-tier prospect in the Brewers' system but one who nevertheless has flashed this year.
"We like Justin a lot," said Arnold. "He's still young and has a really, really good arm. Same thing we talked about when we did the deal with (Jhonny) Severino for Santana. You always have to give up something to get something here."
Reds, Cubs also make moves
There were roughly 24 hours to go before the trading deadline when the Brewers made the move for Canha.
Two teams jockeying with the Brewers in the National League Central Division also made trades, with the Cincinnati Reds acquiring left-hander Sam Moll from the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago Cubs landing right-hander José Cuas from the Kansas City Royals and infielder Jeimer Candelario from the Washington Nationals.
"It's hard to make a deal," Arnold said. "I think as the market is beginning to loosen up a little bit as as we get closer to the deadline, there could be potentially some more activity. Certainly we're going to be involved, but anytime you're trying to talk to a small number of of selling teams, it makes it that much harder to make a deal, especially when you're looking to acquire players."
In another move by the Brewers, right-hander Jake Cousins was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.
Cousins pitched in four games for the Brewers this season but was never able to recapture the promise he showed in 2021 when he struck out 44 in 30 innings after making his major-league debut near mid-season.
