4 NY Mets contracts that could hold them back from having the best roster possible

2) Griffin Canning

This is a new one and frankly a somewhat difficult one to comprehend. Griffin Canning has been a starter almost exclusively since debuting in 2019 for the Los Angeles Angels. Just a 4.78 ERA and coming off a year where he led the league in earned runs, you’ll find Jimmy Hoffa before you do a valid reason as to why he became a choice for the Mets to plug into an already full pitching staff. Other than seeing the injuries they sustained in advance, it was a puzzling addition.

Out of necessity, Canning should get the ball every fifth day to begin the season. What's the long-term plan with him? There were better relievers out there costing about the same as his $4.25 million he’ll take from the Mets this year. They may live or die with him in the rotation for the time being. If his spring training performance is any indication, there will be a lot more living.

Canning isn’t getting paid a lot in terms of baseball dollars. We can consider him this year’s Adrian Houser more than anything else. Houser struggled as a starter to begin last season and eventually carved out a niche as a multi-inning reliever. However, some sudden struggles had the team quickly going in a different direction.

Out of minor league options, it would take an agreement by Canning to go to the minors to be true starting pitching depth. He won't do so at this point, putting him alongside 25 others players who'll be among those on the Opening Day roster hoping to last the year.