New York Mets add outfield depth in minor league trade with Chicago Cubs

MLB Trade Rumors: New York Mets add outfield depth in minor league trade with Chicago Cubs

After their unsuccessful pursuit of Alex Bregman in free agency, the Chicago Cubs decided to sign veteran infielder Justin Turner.  In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Turner, the Cubs had to assign Alexander Canario after making the move.  However, the New York Mets may benefit from their choice to DFA Canario.

 The Mets swooped in and traded for the 24-year-old outfielder, even though the Cubs probably would have preferred to keep Canario.  ESPN's Jesse Rogers on X claims that the Mets forfeited payment considerations for the gifted minor leaguer.

 Baseball America and MiLB.com selected Canario as one of the Cubs' top 12 prospects in 2023. 

In 2024, he was rated as the eleventh best player in Chicago's pipeline. Canario hit a grand slam against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, his first major league start. With a homer and a double, he finished the game with five RBI and went 2-4.

The Cubs' minor league power bat is traded to the Mets.

Canario has made 21 appearances in the main leagues thus far. He has been slashed.With two doubles, a triple, and two home runs, he tallied 286/.333/.524 while scoring five runs and driving in eight RBI. But in 42 at-bats, he only drew two walks and struck out 19 times.

Canario has struggled with strikeouts in both the major and minor leagues. But there is no denying his strength.

Canario hit 37 home runs and drove in 97 runs in 2022 while playing at A+, Double A, and Triple A. He also has 147 strikeouts. He was still able to maintain an on-base percentage of.343, though.

In the end, the youthful corner outfielder might not be the ideal match for the Mets. In addition to Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, and Jesse Winker, New York added Juan Soto this summer. Canario would therefore have to contend with four seasoned players for two outfield spots if he were to join the major league team. 

Working Canario in as a designated hitter is also unlikely to work out because the Mets intend to platoon Winker and Marte at DH with Soto and Nimmo starting in right and left, respectively.

Nevertheless, strong teams understand the value of depth. The Mets' trade with the Cubs is a low-risk, maybe high-reward deal, even if Canario ends up spending the season in the minor leagues or is traded to another team.