The Chicago Cubs opted to sign veteran infielder Justin Turner after failing to land Alex Bregman in free agency. As a result, they had to designate outfielder for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. This move ultimately benefited the New York Mets, who quickly acquired Canario in exchange for cash considerations, as reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
He was regarded as a top prospect in the Cubs’ system, ranking 12th in 2023 and 11th in 2024, according to MiLB.com and Baseball America. He made an immediate impact in his first major league start in 2023, hitting a grand slam against the Pittsburgh Pirates while going 2-for-4 with a double, home run, and five RBIs.
The Mets add a power-hitting prospect
Alexander Canario has played in 21 major league games, posting a .286/.333/.524 slash line with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, eight RBIs, and five runs scored. However, plate discipline has been a concern, as he has struck out 19 times in 42 at-bats while drawing only two walks.
Despite his strikeout issues at both the major and minor league levels, Canario’s power potential is evident. In 2022, he belted 37 home runs and drove in 97 runs across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, though he also struck out 147 times while maintaining a .343 on-base percentage.
Fitting Canario into the Mets’ roster could be challenging. With offseason acquisition Juan Soto and established veterans Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, and Jesse Winker already in place, Canario faces stiff competition for playing time. The team plans to rotate Winker and Marte at DH while keeping Soto and Nimmo in the corner outfield spots, leaving limited opportunities for Canario.
Still, strong organizations value depth. Whether Canario remains in the minors, earns a roster spot, or is traded again, the Mets’ move to acquire him from the Cubs is a low-risk gamble with the potential for high rewards.