Former NY Mets player is struggling since David Stearns traded him away

One of the New York Mets' acquisitions right before spring training started was acquiring outfielder Alexander Canario from the Chicago Cubs after the Cubs designated him for assignment. This ended Canario's tenure with the Cubs, which began with a very high-profile trade, as he was sent from the San Francisco Giants to the Cubs in exchange for former MVP Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline.

Canario did very well in spring training for the Mets, collecting 11 hits, three home runs, and seven walks in only 43 plate appearances. He had the 4th most total bases of any Mets player in the preseason with 22. However, with no options remaining, the Mets ultimately designated him for assignment at the end of spring. Then, on March 31st, the Pittsburgh Pirates took Canario off the Mets' hands, receiving cash in return for the former top prospect. So far, Canario has only appeared in parts of four games for the Pirates, with 13 plate appearances, but has only collected a single hit.

Alexander Canario isn't looking like "the one who got away" from the Mets

Prior to 2025, Canario had some brief Major League playing time. Between 2023 and 2024, Canario had 45 plate appearances but was hitting a strong .286/.333/.524 with a .364 wOBA and 135 wRC+ in the small sample size. Although he had five extra-base hits in this stretch of playing time, he also struck out 19 times with only two walks.

A lack of plate discipline is what has plagued Canario in the upper levels of the minor leagues. He spent most of 2024 with the Chicago Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, batting .243/.336/.514 with a 116 wRC+. Canario has plenty of power and hit 18 home runs in just 283 plate appearances with a 16.8% barrel percentage. While he drew walks at an 11.3% rate, he had a 30.4% K% and swung and missed at a horrendous 37.5% rate.

Canario was ranked as the 8th best prospect in the SF Giants' system in 2021 and the 12th best in the Cubs' system heading into 2023, both per Baseball America. But Canario still does not have options remaining. If he continues to struggle like he has thus far in his tenure with the Pirates, we may see him on waivers once again in the very near future.