The Tigers introduced that first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha has been acquired in a commerce with the Brewers. Minor league reliever Blake Holub heads again to Milwaukee in return.
It may be assumed that Detroit will exercised the $11.5MM membership possibility on Canha’s companies for the 2024 season, which is actually a $9.5MM determination since that possibility got here with a $2MM buyout. The commerce saves the Brewers from at the least that $2MM payout, whereas additionally bringing a 25-year-old reliever into the farm system.
Canha’s contract was initially established with the Mets, when the veteran inked a two-year, $26.5MM free agent deal in the course of the 2021-22 offseason. Canha’s 2022 season in New York was stable, although his efficiency dipped to a .245/.343/.381 slash line over 303 plate appearances in 2023 earlier than the Mets dealt Canha to Milwaukee on the commerce deadline. The change of surroundings sparked Canha’s bat, and he hit .287/.373/.427 over 204 PA for the Brew Crew to assist Milwaukee seize the NL Central title.
It’s honest to guess that the Brewers solely considered Canha as a rental piece, but his efficiency in all probability gave the entrance workplace some second ideas about whether or not or to not retain the nine-year veteran through the membership possibility. The $11.5MM price ticket may’ve been merely a bit too excessive for the Brewers’ liking, plus Canha turns 35 in February and Milwaukee additionally has a little bit of an outfielder surplus. With these outfielders needing time within the corners and at DH, Canha may’ve been thought of a luxurious, regardless that the Brewers are nonetheless in clear want of some first base assist heading into 2024.
Milwaukee followers might bristle on the thought of transferring Canha for payroll functions or for “simply” a minor league reliever, but Holub could be the kind of under-the-radar bullpen arm the Brewers have had a knack for locating in recent times. A Fifteenth-round decide for the Tigers within the 2021 draft, Holub posted a 6.23 ERA over 52 innings on the A-ball/high-A ranges in 2022, however took a pleasant step ahead this previous season. Over 65 1/3 mixed innings at high-A and Double-A, Holub had a 3.03 ERA, 29.34% strikeout charge, and 6.56% stroll charge. The improved management is especially noteworthy, contemplating how Holub struggled to keep away from free passes in 2022.
Immediately’s commerce marks one of many largest strikes made by Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris in his year-plus tenure, and the primary signal that the Tigers might be planning to contend subsequent yr. Granted, one yr of Canha isn’t an enormous expenditure, and Canha may very effectively discover himself on the transfer once more on the deadline if Detroit isn’t within the AL Central or wild card race. Nevertheless, Canha does add some veteran reinforcement to a younger Tigers staff, and his skillset is a slot in some ways for Detroit’s roster.
Spencer Torkelson has first base spoken for within the Motor Metropolis, however Canha can act as a right-handed hitting complement at DH or within the nook outfield for any of Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, or Akil Baddoo (who all swing from the left aspect). Canha tasks because the common left fielder for the second, with Carpenter at DH and Greene in all probability focused for proper area, relying on how the Tigers deploy Greene and Meadows between heart and proper area. Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez, and Zach McKinstry are additionally within the combine for nook outfield work, and with so many unproven commodities competing for jobs, Canha provides some stability to Detroit’s lineup.
In a associated transfer, the Tigers yesterday additionally declined their $30MM membership possibility on Miguel Cabrera for 2024, paying the long run Corridor-of-Famer $8MM in a buyout. Cabrera had already introduced his retirement and is now transferring right into a particular assistant function with the staff, so the buyout was only a formality. It does formally finish Cabrera’s 16-year run as a participant in Detroit, whereas additionally ending the staff’s monetary dedication to the slugger. With Cabrera’s eight-year, $248MM contract now off the books, it may permit Harris a bit extra flexibility to spend, akin to this commerce so as to add Canha’s deal to the Tigers’ payroll.
