The Philadelphia Phillies have the closest thing to a perfect roster right now across Major League Baseball.
That makes the Phillies the envy of 29 other clubs, but also comes with the weight of heightened expectations. The Phillies are under immense pressure to win a World Series while superstar Bryce Harper is under contract, and this year may be the best chance they get.
With the 2024 trade deadline fast approaching, the Phillies will be scouring the league for any incremental improvements they can make. And one team insider believes acquiring a right-handed bat to platoon with Brandon Marsh will be at the top of Philadelphia's list.
Marsh is a true glue guy for the Phillies, a great defender in left field, and an elite hitter against right-handed pitching. But against lefties, Marsh has a brutal .378 OPS this season, prompting manager Rob Thomson to bench him whenever a southpaw starts for the opposition.
Phillies insider Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Phillies were shopping for a right-handed bat to pair with Marsh in a left-field platoon.
"If they acquire a right-handed-hitting outfielder who is a rental, they would not be obligated to platoon Marsh again in 2025. Perhaps that is the route the Phillies take," Gelb said.
Gelb then went on to name Mark Canha of the Detroit Tigers as one potential fit in a left-field platoon with Marsh.
"Mark Canha is a veteran on an expiring deal with postseason experience. He hits lefties," Gelb said.
Canha, 35, has not had a good season with Detroit on the whole. His .676 OPS doesn't exactly scream "game-changer" at the trade deadline. But for the Phillies' purposes, he might be the perfect acquisition for an affordable price.
Canha has an .879 OPS against lefties in 77 plate appearances this season, which would be his primary job function with the Phillies. He's also one of the most well-liked players in the league, which seems like an ideal match given the Phillies' reputation for team chemistry.
If the Tigers, who sit seven games out of playoff position, decide to sell, Canha seems like a lock to be moved. Whether he ends up in Philadelphia is up to the front office, but it's easy to see why Gelb believes he fits the club's current needs.
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