Buster Olney of ESPN reports that teams have called the Mets to check out the availability of outfielder Mark Canha. Buster also notes that the Seattle Mariners could be a fit for Canha. The Mets do have a team option on Canha for 2024 at $11.5 million with a $2 million buyout.
Canha, 34, is hitting .244/.346/.396 with 14 doubles, six home runs, 28 RBIs, and seven stolen bases this season in 266 plate appearances. The veteran outfielder struggled to start the season, but has a .872 OPS over the last 34 games to bring his season wRC+ to 111 (11% better than league average).
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Canha has a -2 Statcast fielding run value while playing mostly left field this year. He has also played 12 games at first base, seven in right field, and played in parts of four games at third base.
The former Athletic had a strong first season with the Mets in 2022 when he posted a 128 wRC+ and 2.8 fWAR in 140 games. The Mets signed Canha to a two-year, $26.5 million deal before the 2022 season.
The Mets are undecided about what their trade deadline will look like as they hope to inch back into the playoff race. Following three straight wins, they sit seven games out of a Wild Card spot. They traded veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar to the Angels last month and acquired right-handed reliever Trevor Gott from the Mariners recently. If the Mets do decide to sell, pending free agents outfielder Tommy Pham and veteran closer David Robertson look to be their key trade chips.
