President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom has been clear about one of his priorities as the St. Louis Cardinals continue shaping their roster for the upcoming season: the pitching staff needs reinforcement, specifically in the form of a reliable veteran arm.
After a season in which injuries and inconsistency exposed the organization’s lack of dependable depth, Bloom has emphasized the importance of adding experience to stabilize the rotation and provide flexibility as the year unfolds. According to a recent report, that search may have led the Cardinals to free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning.
News of St. Louis’ interest surfaced when MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Cardinals are among several teams monitoring Canning’s market. The report also noted that the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets have similarly expressed interest in the right-hander.
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This information stems from a report by John Heyman of the New York Post, a well-connected insider whose reporting often sheds light on early-stage discussions between clubs and free agents. While there is no indication that negotiations are advanced with any of the interested teams, the fact that multiple organizations are checking in suggests that Canning’s name is firmly on the radar as teams look for cost-effective pitching solutions.
Canning’s professional journey has been one defined by both promise and frustration. He originally entered the professional baseball conversation when he was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California.
Like many late-round high school selections, Canning opted not to sign, choosing instead to attend the University of California, Los Angeles. That decision ultimately proved pivotal for his career. Over three seasons at UCLA, he refined his mechanics, improved his command, and established himself as one of the more polished collegiate pitchers in the country.
Those improvements paid off in a major way in 2017, when the Los Angeles Angels selected Canning in the second round of the MLB Draft. The Angels viewed him as a potential mid-rotation starter with a relatively high floor, thanks to his diverse pitch mix and ability to miss bats without sacrificing control. He moved quickly through the Angels’ minor league system, making his major league debut in 2019 and almost immediately carving out a role in the big-league rotation.
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Over the course of his major league career, Canning has compiled a 32–37 record with a 4.65 ERA. While those surface-level numbers may not jump off the page, they do not fully capture the nuances of his performance or the context in which he has pitched.
For much of his time with the Angels, Canning was asked to take the ball regularly for a team that struggled to provide consistent offensive support or bullpen stability. Despite those challenges, he showed stretches where his stuff and approach hinted at a higher ceiling than his overall results might suggest.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Canning’s profile is his ability to induce ground balls. Prior to his most recent injury, he was generating ground balls at a rate exceeding 55 percent, an impressive figure that places him among pitchers who rely on movement and location rather than overpowering velocity alone.
That skill is particularly valuable in today’s game, where limiting home runs and hard contact is often just as important as racking up strikeouts. In addition to his groundball tendencies, Canning has posted respectable strikeout and walk rates, suggesting that he has the command and pitchability teams often seek in back-end or mid-rotation starters.
Unfortunately, Canning’s momentum was halted during his most recent stint with the Mets. After signing a one-year deal with New York last season, he appeared poised for an opportunity to reestablish his value on the open market.
Instead, his season was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon, a significant injury that raised understandable concerns among evaluators. Achilles injuries can be particularly tricky for pitchers, as they affect lower-body strength, balance, and drive off the mound — all critical components of consistent pitching mechanics.
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Despite the severity of the injury, there is cautious optimism that Canning can make a full recovery. Advances in medical treatment and rehabilitation have improved outcomes for players returning from Achilles tears, and if Canning is able to regain his pre-injury form, he could represent one of the more intriguing bounce-back candidates on the market.
Teams like the Cardinals, White Sox, and Mets are likely weighing the risks associated with his health against the potential upside of acquiring a pitcher who, when healthy, has shown the ability to be an effective major league starter.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, Canning fits neatly into the type of acquisition Bloom has publicly discussed. Rather than committing significant resources to a high-priced free agent, St. Louis appears focused on identifying pitchers who offer value, depth, and the possibility of outperforming their contracts.
A healthy Canning could provide innings, stability, and insurance against injuries to younger starters. Additionally, if he performs well in the first half of the season, he could even emerge as a viable trade deadline asset — either as a contributor to a contending roster or as a piece that brings back prospect capital.
This approach aligns with Bloom’s reputation as a front-office executive who prioritizes flexibility and long-term sustainability. During his tenure in Boston, he became known for targeting undervalued players and attempting to maximize organizational depth rather than relying solely on marquee acquisitions. Bringing in a pitcher like Canning on a modest deal would allow the Cardinals to maintain payroll flexibility while still addressing a clear need.
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The White Sox and Mets, meanwhile, are in somewhat different competitive positions but share a similar interest in pitching depth. Chicago has been searching for stability amid a period of transition, while New York continues to look for ways to fortify its staff after dealing with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons. For both teams, Canning represents a low-risk, potentially high-reward option who could help bridge gaps in the rotation or provide multi-inning support as needed.
Ultimately, the key factor in determining Canning’s next destination will be his health. If medical evaluations suggest that he is fully recovered or close to it, his market could strengthen quickly, especially as teams look to finalize their pitching plans before spring training. Conversely, if there are lingering concerns, interested clubs may attempt to structure incentive-laden contracts that protect them against downside risk while still offering Canning an opportunity to reestablish himself.
For the Cardinals, the calculus is straightforward. The organization needs experienced pitching, and it needs it without compromising future flexibility. Assuming Griffin Canning is healthy and capable of returning to form, he checks many of the boxes Bloom has outlined: affordable, experienced, and potentially impactful. Whether he ultimately lands in St. Louis or elsewhere, his situation encapsulates the type of calculated gamble teams often make when seeking value on the margins of the free-agent market.
In that sense, Canning’s free agency is about more than just one pitcher finding his next team. It reflects the broader strategies clubs employ as they balance risk, cost, and upside in an increasingly competitive landscape. For the Cardinals and other interested teams, the decision to pursue Griffin Canning could prove to be a subtle but meaningful move — one that helps shape the pitching staff not just for the coming season, but for the long-term stability of the organization as well.
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