The team the Mets just traded with are now interested in Mark Canha

The countdown to the MLB trade deadline has already begun with less than two weeks to go. Many of the earliest New York Mets rumors have been more speculative than anything. Much of it has to do with the team being undecided about buying or selling.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, some clearer Mets rumors are making the rounds. This one involves outfielder Mark Canha whose time with the club could be coming to an end even if they decide to stand pat. After all, Tommy Pham has taken his starting left field job from him.

Per Olney, several teams have inquired about Canha including a team we thought was selling, the Seattle Mariners.

NY Mets rumors: The Mariners are an early trade destination for Mark Canha

At 47-48, the Mariners can only really hope to take a wild card spot. They’ve been a disappointment this year after ending their playoff drought in 2022. They’re a team whose outfield should’ve carried them much further. Jarred Kelenic, after his hot start, is now batting only .252/.320/.439 on the year with 11 home runs. Julio Rodriguez is at .246/.311/.401 with 13 dingers while offseason acquisition Teoscar Hernandez is slashing .240/.294/.419 with 15.

Canha probably wouldn’t steal any playing time away from those three. His season numbers are similar with less power. Left-handed hitting Mike Ford has become one of their go-to DH options. A platoon with him there or even taking over the roster spot from AJ Pollock would make a little more sense.

Pollock, a name we saw Mets fans mention before signing Pham, has been atrocious. He’s a .169/.222/.315 hitter this year for Seattle. Canha would likely replace him on the roster given the roles of their other outfield options.

The Mariners would be an interesting trade destination for Canha following the deal the two clubs made only a few weeks ago. Clearing out Chris Flexen’s salary and then adding what’s owed to Canha isn’t exactly all that much of an upgrade. We’d have to expect the Mets to willingly pay a portion of what’s owed to Canha whether he ends up with the Mariners or somewhere else.

Olney doesn’t mention any other destinations for Canha to land. As Rising Apple’s Josue De Jesus wrote yesterday, there are a couple others out there that make sense. A good left fielder isn’t easy to find. As disappointing as Canha has been, he is close to his career averages.