Potential trade target: Mark Canha

The 35-year-old can get on base.

The Royals approach the trade deadline in contention for a post-season spot, but with some clear needs on the roster. The offense has been above-average in runs-scored-per-game, despite having a lineup full of impatient hitters. The Royals have the fourth-lowest walk rate in baseball, and their .309 team on-base percentage is in the lower half of all teams.

J.J. Picollo has told reporters he is looking for more on-base hitters to lengthen the lineup. One name that could attract his attention is veteran Mark Canha of the Tigers.

The 35-year-old was once a Rule 5 pick, but has enjoyed a ten-year career with the Athletics, Mets, Brewers, and Tigers. Jeff Passan at ESPN reports he has a “robust” market despite being an impending free agent who is hitting just .236/.341/.361 with 7 home runs in 88 games.

Why do teams like Mark Canha?

Canha has a career on-base percentage of .348 and a walk rate of 10 percent. His strikeout rate has spiked up to 20 percent this year, but that is still below league-average.

Canha has been slumping this summer - he’s hitting .220/.315/.301 since the start of June. He has an expected batting average of .215 and an expected slugging percentage of .318, with a decline in barrel percentage, although his exit velocity has actually increased. He is capable of playing corner outfield capably, as well as first base. He has mashed lefties this year, hitting .299/.415/.478 in 82 plate appearances.

Canha is earning $11.5 million this year, a salary the Tigers might be willing to eat if a better prospect was offered. Still, it shouldn’t take a major prospect to get two months of an older player who should probably be in a limited role at this point. Canha could serve as a capable table-setter for the heart of the Royals order, but will they be interested in a short-term solution that is older than anyone on the current roster?