3 best Phillies trade targets to pluck away from division rival Mets
By Tim Boyle
2) Phillies trade target on the Mets: Mark Canha
Outfielder Mark Canha has been a big disappointment for the Mets this season. This is partly because he was so good for them in 2022. His .245/.345/.403 slash line at the break is actually close to the .248/.348/.424 he has hit in his career, one spent mostly with the Oakland Athletics. He plays mainly left field but is capable of providing innings as a center fielder and even as a first baseman.
The match for the Phillies is obvious as it would upgrade their defense in left field and maybe even at first base. There are a lot of possibilities.
Taking Canha away from the Mets would be especially helpful for the end of the year when the two clubs square off in a pair of series at the end of September. Shovels treat dirt better than Canha does Phillies pitching. He has a tendency to come up with clutch hits against Philadelphia. The lifetime numbers against the Phillies are on-par with his totals against everyone combined.
It’s those plate appearances when he does come through that have made a difference. A 4-RBI performance earlier this year during a sweep against the Phillies was rock bottom for Philadelphia and, ironically, the top of the mountain for the Mets.
Canha could be a rental or someone the Phillies choose to bring back next season. He has a player option for 2024 that is trending toward a buyout. If the Mets are indeed selling, he’s one of the players they’ll definitely look to move. Could they send him to Philadelphia? It shouldn’t cost a whole lot.