Royals Acquire Mark Canha from Brewers Ahead of Opening Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have acquired outfielder and first baseman Mark Canha from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later or cash, according to reports from Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

This trade comes less than a month after the Brewers signed Canha to a minor league deal with an invitation to their major league camp. Brewers manager Pat Murphy indicated that Canha was expected to play as a first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch-hitter during spring training.

Canha, a 10-year MLB veteran, is expected to provide the Royals with much-needed depth in their outfield as the team searches for a right-handed bat to balance their lineup. Kansas City previously expressed interest in signing Canha to a major league contract but was unable to finalize a deal. The Royals will need to add him to their 40-man roster by Thursday.

Canha will earn a $1.4 million base salary this season. The 34-year-old had a challenging 2022 season with the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants, recording a combined batting line of .242/.344/.346. Despite the recent struggles, he remains a strong candidate for lineup versatility; he has a solid track record against left-handed pitching, boasting a .258/.356/.419 stat line over nearly 500 plate appearances.

Last season, the Royals found limited success from their right-handed hitters. Canha may also help fill the gap left by underperforming players in right field. His ability to hit left-handed pitching could allow him to provide valuable at-bats against southpaw starters, as he is likely to see time both in the outfield and at first base.

Anne Rogers from MLB.com noted, “If Canha can regain his form, he could be the power bat Kansas City needs to boost its lineup.” Canha hit 17 home runs in 2021, and a return to that level of performance could help elevate the Royals’ offense.

The Royals have been proactive in their season preparations, making significant offseason moves, including the acquisition of infielder Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds and signing reliever Carlos Estevez to a two-year, $22 million contract. However, as they head toward Opening Day, Kansas City is still exploring options to enhance their roster ahead of the trade deadline.

As the Royals finalize their lineup before the season opener, adding Canha may provide the spark they need to compete effectively in the American League Central.