Keith: Mets better have more starting pitching plans than Griffin Canning
The Mets added another unproven starter on Wednesday night, reportedly signing Griffin Canning to a one-year, $4.25 million deal after the righty posted a 5.19 ERA in 2024.
The signing comes after New York added Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes in free agency as David Stearns and company continue their efforts to remake a rotation that lost Luis Severino to free agency, and Sean Manaea is still a free agent after emerging as the team’s ace last season.
Keith McPherson isn’t about to write off the Canning signing despite his pedestrian numbers across his career, as Manaea and Severino were additions that many fans doubted or scoffed at a year ago.
“I just know last year, when we saw the rotation they put together, everyone said they had the worst rotation in baseball,” Keith said. “Clearly they know something we don’t.
“I also don’t think this is the big move. This isn’t the guy they think is gonna be the ace. This is depth.”
Still, after signing Juan Soto to a record contract, the Mets need to do more to shore up holes elsewhere on the roster, and there are still big-name pitchers like Corbin Burnes there for the taking.
“Even the biggest of Mets fans and reporters are like ‘Wait, you paid this dude?’” Keith said. “I don’t know, I’m trying to come in with the positives.
“The Mets won the Winter Meetings, but it doesn’t stop there. There are so many more holes. Juan Soto does not pitch. What’s the deal with the rotation? What are we waiting on? They gotta make a move. Christmas is next week. Things are gonna slow down even more.”
