SF Giants rumors: How to win the trade deadline in three moves

SF Giants: How to win the trade deadline in three minor moves
2. Mark Canha

The Oakland Athletics are far from sellers at this year’s deadline, but after acquiring outfielder Starling Marte on Wednesday, there’s some speculation that they could shop some of their impending free-agent outfielders, like Mark Canha. A right-handed hitter from the Bay Area, Canha can handle first base and every position in the outfield. As San Francisco continues producing erratic offensive production against left-handed pitchers, Canha could be an ideal addition to supplement their position group.

The A’s would obviously target pieces in return that could help them immediately, and Giants utilityman Mauricio Dubón easily fits that bill. Dubón is capable of playing nearly every position on the diamond and has generated above-average offensive production against left-handed pitching throughout his career. While Dubón could fall into a similar role in Oakland that he found in San Francisco, starting in the outfield against lefties or serving as a defensive replacement in close games, there may be a more immediate need he could fill as well: shortstop.

Elvis Andrus has struggled mightily this year in Oakland. The longtime Texas Ranger is hitting just .235 this season and has generated an abysmal .587 OPS over the past two seasons combined. While Andrus was once a highly reliable everyday player, the A’s should absolutely be searching for other options. Dubón has his offensive limitations, but even his .234/.272/.373 triple-slash in 2021 exceeds Andrus in each category. When you factor in Dubón’s .901 OPS at Triple-A, it’s easy to foresee Oakland jumping at the chance to acquire him for Canha.