Veteran utility player Mark Canha has officially been released from his agreement with the Texas Rangers, according to reports from Grant. The 37-year-old, who had been on a minor league contract with the club, requested his release in hopes of finding a new opportunity at the major league level with another organization.
Canha originally joined the Rangers on a minor league deal in February and delivered a respectable performance during spring training. Over that stretch, he posted a .286 batting average along with a .318 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage. Despite those solid numbers, he was unable to secure a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. The final position on the roster essentially came down to a choice between Canha and fellow veteran Andrew McCutchen, with McCutchen ultimately earning the nod.
Although Canha had the option to opt out of his contract at the conclusion of spring training and re-enter free agency, he instead reached a mutually beneficial arrangement with the Rangers. As detailed by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News in late March, Canha preferred not to travel with a minor league affiliate. Instead, he remained in Arizona for extended spring training. This setup allowed him to stay close to his home in Scottsdale and spend time with his family while still maintaining his readiness by facing minor league pitchers in controlled settings.
This arrangement provided value for both sides. The Rangers retained an experienced player who could step in if injuries arose, while Canha avoided the grind of minor league travel. However, nearly three weeks passed without the team encountering significant injury issues among its position players. Aside from Cody Freeman, who has been sidelined all season due to a lower back fracture sustained in February, the Rangers have largely enjoyed good health in their lineup.
Even so, not all has gone perfectly for the team’s offense. McCutchen, who secured the roster spot over Canha, has struggled early in the season. Primarily used as part of a designated hitter platoon with Joc Pederson and occasionally appearing in the outfield, McCutchen has had difficulty finding consistency at the plate. In a limited sample of 28 plate appearances, he has struck out 12 times, resulting in a high strikeout rate of 42.9%, while drawing just one walk. His slash line of .222/.250/.407 equates to a below-average 84 wRC+.
Given those struggles, one could argue that Canha might have been a viable alternative in that role, as he also bats right-handed and brings veteran experience. However, questions remain about whether Canha would have been a meaningful upgrade. During his most recent major league stint with the Kansas City Royals last season, he posted underwhelming numbers, hitting just .212 with a .272 on-base percentage and a .265 slugging percentage. That performance translated to a 49 wRC+, well below league average, and ultimately led to his release in August. He did not sign with another team before the season ended.
While Canha showed flashes of productivity during spring training this year, his current form is uncertain. Since he has not participated in official game action for several weeks, it is difficult to evaluate how game-ready he is at this point.
Looking ahead, even with his release, it may be challenging for Canha to immediately secure a spot on a major league roster. His recent track record and lack of recent competitive play could make teams hesitant to offer him a big league contract right away. More likely, he will attract interest in the form of minor league offers. However, it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to accept such opportunities, especially given his earlier reluctance to commit to the demands of minor league travel.
Leave a Reply