In their pursuit of the NL Central title, the Milwaukee Brewers made another move to strengthen their lineup on Monday. They secured outfielder Mark Canha from the underperforming New York Mets in a trade that involved sending minor league pitcher Justin Jarvis to the Mets.
Brewers’ president of baseball operations, Matt Arnold, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating that Canha brings a wealth of experience as a productive big league player. He praised Canha’s versatility, having demonstrated skills both offensively and defensively throughout his career. With the ability to play in the outfield, first base, and serve as a designated hitter, Canha is expected to be a valuable asset for the Brewers as they approach the crucial stages of the season.
Just four days prior to acquiring Mark Canha, the Milwaukee Brewers made another significant addition to their roster by bringing in former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman, Carlos Santana. In his debut as a Brewer, Santana showcased his hitting prowess by smashing his first home run during a Sunday afternoon game, even though the team suffered an 8-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves. With these recent acquisitions, the Brewers are showing their determination to bolster their lineup and increase their chances of securing the NL Central title.
Leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline, the New York Mets have been notably active as sellers, which is a significant departure for a franchise that began the season with a staggering $355 million payroll, the highest in Major League Baseball history.
In recent moves, the Mets traded reliever David Robertson to the Miami Marlins on Thursday, and just a few days later, they made another big move by sending three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers.
The trade with the Marlins brought the Mets two promising players from the Marlins’ rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate: infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez. Meanwhile, the Scherzer deal allowed the Mets to acquire minor league infielder Luisangel Acuña, who happens to be the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.
As the Mets focus on strengthening their farm system and looking towards the future, the Milwaukee Brewers have taken a different approach. They are aiming to make a strong push for the playoffs after their franchise-record streak of four consecutive postseason appearances came to an end last season. By adding key players like Mark Canha and Carlos Santana, the Brewers are hoping to reclaim their spot in the postseason and compete for the NL Central title once again.
Over the weekend, the Milwaukee Brewers suffered a sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, causing them to slip behind the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central standings before Monday’s games.
Mark Canha, the cerebral and versatile outfielder recently acquired by the Brewers, has been performing well this season. He holds a batting average of .245 along with a solid .343 on-base percentage. In 89 games, he has hit six home runs, driven in 29 runs, and successfully stolen seven bases. Canha is currently in the second season of a two-year contract worth $26.5 million, which includes a team option for 2024 valued at $11.5 million, with a $2 million buyout.
During this season, Canha experienced reduced playing time in left field, largely due to Tommy Pham’s increased presence. Nevertheless, Canha has demonstrated his adaptability by playing in various positions, including right field, first base, designated hitter, and third base. The Brewers’ president of baseball operations, Matt Arnold, mentioned that Canha is likely to be primarily stationed in right field but can also contribute across all three outfield positions and first base.
Throughout the season, the Brewers have faced challenges in scoring runs, but their strong pitching staff and excellent fielding have kept them in playoff contention. Notably, left fielder Christian Yelich’s resurgence has been a significant factor in leading the outfield. Moreover, the team has been giving opportunities to rookies Joey Wiemer and Sal Frelick, who have been starting in center field and right field, respectively. Frelick also possesses the capability to play in center field. With the addition of Canha and their talented roster, the Brewers are aiming to strengthen their position and make a strong push for the playoffs once again.
Sal Frelick was promoted on July 22 and has made an impressive start, hitting .269 with a remarkable .417 on-base percentage in his first nine games. On the other hand, Joey Wiemer has been outstanding defensively, but his batting performance has been less impressive, with a .209 batting average and a .289 on-base percentage, although he has managed to hit 13 home runs.
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Mark Canha is expected to join the team for Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals. Canha’s primary position is likely to be right field, which will move Sal Frelick to center field, creating a need for flexible outfield arrangements. Additionally, with the designated hitter (DH) spot in play, both Christian Yelich and Mark Canha could rotate in that role, providing further options for the team’s lineup.
In exchange for acquiring Canha, the Brewers sent 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Justin Jarvis to the New York Mets. Jarvis has shown promise this season, posting a 6-6 record with a 4.33 ERA in 17 starts split between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville. He has also displayed good strikeout numbers, recording 102 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings, but also issued 38 walks.
Brewers’ president of baseball operations, Matt Arnold, acknowledged that parting with Jarvis was a tough decision, given his talent and potential upside. However, Arnold expressed great enthusiasm about having Canha on the team, highlighting the veteran outfielder’s versatility and the positive impact he can bring to the Brewers’ lineup.