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What to know about new Brewers outfielder Mark Canha

jr radcliffe, milwaukee journal sentinel
·3 min read
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New York Mets left fielder Mark Canha (19) celebrates his two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the dugout with teammates during the fourth inning on June 1, 2023, at Citi Field.
New York Mets left fielder Mark Canha (19) celebrates his two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the dugout with teammates during the fourth inning on June 1, 2023, at Citi Field.

The Milwaukee Brewers will have a new face in the dugout Tuesday with the arrival of former Mets outfielder Mark Canha, for whom the club traded Monday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Justin Jarvis.

Here's what to know about the new outfielder.

How old is Mark Canha?

Canha turned 34 years old in February. He's been a Major Leaguer since 2015.

New York Mets designated hitter Mark Canha hits an RBI triple in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 5, 2023.
New York Mets designated hitter Mark Canha hits an RBI triple in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 5, 2023.

Where does Mark Canha play in the field and is he a righty or lefty?

Canha can play all three outfield spots; Brewers manager Craig Counsell indicated Sal Frelick would move to center field, allowing Canha to play right field, and dropping Joey Wiemer into a less-regular role.

Canha has primarily played in left field this season but has also spent brief time at first base, third base and as designated hitter.

Canha is credited with plus-five "defensive runs saved" this year by the Fielding Bible, which ranks him 17th among outfielders this year (five spots below Wiemer). Fangraphs sees him as a slightly below average defender.

He bats and throws right-handed, but he hits right-handers better in his career (.781 OPS) than left-handers (.751).

New York Mets left fielder Mark Canha (19) is hit by a pitch thrown by Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser during the fifth inning of their game Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.
New York Mets left fielder Mark Canha (19) is hit by a pitch thrown by Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser during the fifth inning of their game Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.

Mark Canha has a penchant for getting on base (often by getting hit with a pitch)

Canha led the league in hit-by-pitches with 27 in 2021 and again in 2022 with 28. He was hit by 60 pitches during his time with Oakland, a career franchise record, passing former Brewers player and general manager Sal Bando for the title.

Canha has a career .348 on-base percentage, including .343 this year and .367 last year with the Mets. He has an above-average sense of the strike zone and seldom misses when he swings.

What is Mark Canha's contract situation?

Canha signed a two-year deal worth $26.5 million with the Mets in 2022, so he'll be a free agent after the season unless the Brewers pick up his club option (worth $11.5 million for 2024). The Brewers would have to pay a $2 million buyout if they elect not to pick up the option. In the trade, the Mets sent money to cover the rest of his salary except for the league minimum.

A's centerfielder Mark Canha stretches out and makes running catch on a ball hit into the right-center field gap by the Brewers Eric Thames with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning.
A's centerfielder Mark Canha stretches out and makes running catch on a ball hit into the right-center field gap by the Brewers Eric Thames with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning.

He's a California kid who has played Major League baseball primarily in Oakland

The native of San Jose, California, played college baseball at Cal and was taken in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by the Florida Marlins. But he never played for the Fish, taken in the rule 5 draft in 2014 by the Rockies and quickly traded to Oakland, where he spent seven big-league seasons. He signed a two-year deal with the New York Mets last year.

His name isn't pronounced exactly how you think it is

Canha has been comfortable with the pronunciation of "CAN-uh," but he revealed last year during a live mic'd up segment on ESPN that there is a more precise way to say it, "CON-yuh."

"It’s Portuguese, the NH is like the eñe in Spanish," he said. "We say CAN-uh because I'm a fourth generation American at this point. I’ve never said CON-yuh because it feels a little too proper."

New York Mets' Mark Canha passes New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres (25) as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets' Mark Canha passes New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres (25) as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

He's a big-time foodie

Canha regularly posts photos to an Instagram account about his food, and he has a reputation of being a "foodie." He explained earlier this year that his fascination with food stems back to his youth, when his father frequently traveled to Europe for work and tried to recreate the cuisine at home.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Seven things to know about Milwaukee Brewers' Mark Canha