Padres Secure Griffin Canning in MLB Trade Rumors
The San Diego Padres have secured right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning, as confirmed earlier by various sources. The formal announcement of the deal is pending Canning’s successful completion of a physical examination. His arrival comes following the allocation of the team’s roster space after the Nick Castellanos signing.
Background on Griffin Canning
Canning, a Southern California native, hails from Mission Viejo and played college baseball at UCLA. At 29 years old, he began his Major League career with the Los Angeles Angels, where he recorded a 4.78 ERA across 508 innings in 99 games. Despite once being highly regarded as a top-100 prospect, the Angels traded him to the Atlanta Braves last offseason in exchange for Jorge Soler.
Recent Injury History
After a trade to the Braves, Canning was released as Atlanta sought to shed Soler’s contract. He subsequently signed a one-year deal worth $4.25 million with the New York Mets, showing promise with a 2.47 ERA in his initial outings. Unfortunately, his season ended abruptly due to a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in late June.
Padres’ Rotation Challenges
As the Padres look ahead to the upcoming season, they have faced challenges in their starting pitching lineup. The departure of Dylan Cease and the ongoing recovery of Yu Darvish from surgery have prompted the need for reliable arms. Canning joins a group that includes Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez, JP Sears, and Joe Musgrove, who is returning from Tommy John surgery.
Performance Metrics and Potential
During the 2025 season, Canning delivered a groundball rate of 50.9%, a significant improvement from his previous 39.5% rate while with Anaheim. However, his high hard-hit ball rate of 45.7% and a walk rate of 10.7% underscored his struggles. Canning projects as a back-end starter, with hopes of unlocking further potential under the Padres’ development system.
Financial Aspects
The specific terms of Canning’s contract remain undisclosed, although estimates suggest it may align closely with his previous $4.5 million deal in New York. This signing contributes to the Padres’ projected payroll of approximately $220.9 million and a luxury tax number of $265.48 million, putting them slightly above the threshold for the second tier of tax penalties.
Outlook for 2026
Canning is reportedly aiming to be available by Opening Day or early April. His performance during spring training and health recovery will be crucial in determining his role within the rotation. The Padres will keep a close watch on his rehabilitation progress to ensure he can contribute effectively to their pitching staff.
