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Free Agent Profile: Mark Canha could boost the Blue Jays’ outfield depth without breaking the bank
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Photo credit: © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Veronica Chung
Nov 4, 2024, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 4, 2024, 13:09 EST
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Once upon a time, the Toronto Blue Jays had a glut of right-handed hitters in their lineup that managers Charlie Montoyo or John Schneider could turn to whenever they saw fit. However, Toronto faced a much different problem in 2024 as the team collected more left-handed hitters and saw a decline in their power output, regardless of what side the hitters lined up on. 
Heading into the offseason, the Blue Jays are now seeking some power bats to add to their lineup and will explore the free-agent market to address this need. Veteran outfielder and soon-to-be free agent Mark Canha could be an option for Toronto this winter that could fill this void without breaking the bank. 
Mark Canha’s 2024
Canha began his season with the Detroit Tigers after being traded from Milwaukee during the 2023/2024 offseason. His tenure in the AL Central would be short-lived, as the Tigers moved him at the trade deadline to the San Francisco Giants, finishing his year on the West Coast. 
The California native’s season wasn’t all that glorious offensively as he slashed .243/.344/.346 through 125 games. Overall, Canha hovered around the replacement hitter mark with a wRC+ of 102 and collected seven home runs and 42 RBIs between both squads. He posted a 99 OPS+ and a 20.8% strikeout rate to go along with an 11.0% walk-mark through 393 at-bats. Defensively, Canha worked across the diamond, spending most of his time split between the corner outfield spots, first base, and as the designated hitter. 
While he saw a bit of decline across the different slash line metrics this past year, the outfielder still has the potential to reach the numbers he authored in 2022 (.266/.367/.403) in 2023 (.262/.355/.400), especially from a slugging perspective. A 10-year pro in the big leagues, Canha would also provide a veteran presence to a clubhouse looking to add more to its leadership given the recent turnover of older players to a younger core. 
Mark Canha’s Contract
Before hitting the free agent market this winter, Canha was on a two-year, $26.5-million contract.
His deal originated with the New York Mets but he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the latter half of 2023. While Canha concluded his 2024 season in San Francisco and will look for another contract this winter, ideally with a contender, his market is a bit difficult to gauge given some of the other names on the market.
If Canha is able to sign something similar to his past contract (i.e., one-year, $13 million area), that would be a steal on his end. However, it’s most likely the Californian outfielder will sign somewhere quite lower, potentially around or below $5 million. 
Mark Canha’s fit with the Blue Jays
At this moment, Canha is an odd fit with the Blue Jays due to existing outfielders like Joey Loperfido, George Springer, and Daulton Varsho and the host of others looking for more playing time like Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase, and Alan Roden.
Canha could fit into the mix as a fourth outfielder type while playing first base on occasion but there is some competition there as well. The Blue Jays have used Addison Barger and Davis Schneider before as their fourth outfielders but both are more natural infielders than outfielders, although Schneider appeared in more games in left field than second base last season. The team also put Lukes and Steward Berroa but one could argue that Canha is an upgrade over both of them.
If the price is right, adding Canha can make sense from a depth perspective but the Jays could use some of their talent from within and use the salary space elsewhere so a deal for the right-handed batter isn’t at the top of the priority list this winter. 

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