The Red Sox are in a difficult position with the trade deadline just over a month away.
It's clear a move needs to be made, whether it be for a bullpen piece or right-handed bat. The problem is Boston's depleted farm system limits its options significantly.
One option, however, appears to be Mark Canha. The Red Sox recently inquired about the Athletics' outfielder, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. While Canha doesn't exactly bring star power to Boston, he does bring the right-handed bench help the Red Sox are searching for.
As of Monday, the 29-year-old holds a slash line of .250/.322/.452 with nine home runs and 25 RBI for Oakland. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but he's raking against left-handed pitching with a .303 batting average, .969 OPS, and seven homers. That alone makes him worth looking into as the Sox have been dreadful vs southpaws. Plus, Canha provides versatility as he can be used in all three outfield spots and play some first base when necessary.
If the Red Sox are unwilling to part ways with or demote Jackie Bradley Jr, who's enters Monday's game hitting .178, they must at least find a player that can add some depth and fill in for him vs lefties. Boston can't head into August expecting Bradley and the black hole at the bottom of the order to cut it.
Per the SF Chronicle report, the A's are looking to acquire starting pitching in a deal as they have five starters on the disabled list. The Red Sox didn't seem to get too far in their initial talks with Oakland about Canha, so it could be that the asking price right now is too high. But Boston would be remiss to not at least keep the Athletics' front office phone ringing up until the trade deadline.
