The New York Mets have had a highly disappointing season, taking a 45-50 record into Thursday. After entering the season as the National League East favorites—depending on who you ask—the Mets find themselves 16.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves and 7.0 games back in a crowded NL Wild Card race.
While the Mets don’t exactly have an astronomical hole to climb out of in the NL Wild Card race, it seems likely that the team will sell off pieces that are set to become free agents after the season. One of those players is outfielder Mark Canha, who figures to be among the top names that are dealt come Aug. 1.
Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online pointed out that the Mets have an $11.5 million ($2 buyout) option on Canha for 2024. So while he’s not technically a free agent, it seems unlikely that the Mets or an acquiring team would pick up an option for what many deem to be a fourth outfielder.
As per Buster Olney, other teams have inquired about the availability of Canha. And the ESPN MLB insider mentions that the Seattle Mariners may be a possible match for the 34-year-old Canha considering his familiarity with the American League West and the fact that they pursued him in free agency just two winters ago.
Other teams have asked the Mets about the availability of Mark Canha, and a possible match might be with the Seattle Mariners. Seattle very familiar with Canha from his years in the AL West, and they pursued him in free agency two winters ago.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 20, 2023
The tricky part here is the Mariners are in a similar spot as the Mets.
They entered Thursday with a 47-48 record, which puts them 10 games of the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West, but they’re just 5.5 games back in a crowded AL Wild Card race. A quick glimpse at the Mariners depth chart and you’d be hard-pressed to find a place where Canha fits on the roster. However, first baseman Ty France and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez have severely underperformed. And the Mariners could easily insert Canha at first base, a position he played for the Mets when Pete Alonso was injured, or platoon him with the left-handed hitting designated hitter Mike Ford.
Canha is a better hitter against right-handed pitching though, so his career splits suggest he wouldn’t be the best platoon bat. In any event, he would certainly provide a spark to a Seattle Mariners offense, even if he’s acquired to be the team’s fourth outfielder. As the Mets look to replenish their farm system, trading a player like Canha could make sense for the right price.
Through 79 games (266 plate appearances) this season, Canha is hitting .244/.346/.396 with nine home runs, 28 RBIs and a .741 OPS.
