When trying on the Tigers’ potential commerce candidates, the vast majority of focus is understandably on beginning pitchers Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal. (The previous appears more likely to transfer, the latter doesn’t.) However for all of the deserved consideration on these arms, Detroit’s roster has a number of different items who may pique the curiosity of contending golf equipment. ESPN’s Jeff Passan writes that outfielder/first baseman Mark Canha, as an example, has a “sturdy” market and will change arms between now and subsequent Tuesday.

Canha, 35, is incomes $11.5MM this season and might be a free agent this winter. He’s hit .236/.341/.361 in 358 plate appearances, checking in about 3% higher than league common, by measure of wRC+. Canha’s 19.8% strikeout price is decrease than common, and his 11.2% stroll price is comfortably north of common. He’s performed each outfield corners and first base in 2024, not essentially excelling at anyone spot however offering a succesful hand at every place.

It’s not an attention-grabbing talent set, however Canha is prospering in a single key space: his right-handed bat is pummeling left-handed pitching. In 276 plate appearances towards fellow righties this yr, Canha carries a tepid .218/.319/.328 slash. In 82 journeys to the plate towards lefties, nonetheless, Canha is hitting .299/.415/.478 (150 wRC+). Canha has had roughly even splits towards lefties and righties in his profession, with productive traces towards each, however over the previous couple seasons he’s begun to see a extra typical platoon cut up. In 248 plate appearances towards southpaws courting again to final season, Canha boasts a .275/.379/.469 slash.

Canha nonetheless has about $4.2MM of this season’s wage but to be paid out. That quantity will drop to $3.83MM by Tuesday’s deadline. A possible commerce associate won’t need to cowl the complete freight of that wage in change for a 35-year-old who may very well be used as a platoon choice down the stretch, but when the Tigers cowl among the wage, it’s straightforward sufficient to see why contending golf equipment would need to add a productive righty who can play a number of spots on the diamond.

Canha isn’t going to fetch the Tigers a serious prospect even when they pay him right down to league minimal for his new membership, however he’s nonetheless interesting in the appropriate function. The Cardinals, Reds, Royals and Mariners are among the many playoff hopefuls who’ve struggled towards left-handed pitching this season. The Braves (Ronald Acuna Jr.), Astros (Kyle Tucker) and Padres (Fernando Tatis Jr.) all have star outfielders on the injured record (and Canha may additionally play some first base in Houston). The Phillies may pair Canha with Brandon Marsh in an outfield platoon. There should be a number of golf equipment with curiosity, and as a pending free agent on a workforce extensively anticipated to promote, Canha has a great likelihood to maneuver.