There’s a perfect match for the NY Mets in a last-second Alexander Canario trade

Alexander Canario isn’t going to pass through waivers. Someone at the lowest level of the league is going to snatch him away and see what he can do. A pair of home runs on Sunday only helped the New York Mets when it comes to finding a trade partner. Due to the team simply not having room any longer for the non-optional outfielder, they need to look at potential trades.

The good thing about being able to trade a player away is you can choose who doesn’t get him. He won’t end up with the Miami Marlins to torment us for 13 games. Look to the American League and a little further outside of the Tristate Area.

A team that has been on the prowl for a right-handed outfielder for what seems like the entire offseason just added an ex-Mets player to their roster. The Kansas City Royals traded for Mark Canha, but with him on a minor league deal, they could conceivably hold off. Instead, give up something in your farm for your first crack at Canario.

The Royals need Alexander Canario about as badly as any team trying to contend

Exactly what Canario can accomplish in the length of a full MLB season is anyone’s guess. The Chicago Cubs didn’t believe in him enough to try, hence the trade to the Mets for cash. Canario has his faults. He strikes out a ton, doesn’t have a consistent track record of hitting for average, etc. He’s quite the ideal right-handed half of an outfield platoon which the Royals should remain in the market for.

We certainly couldn’t raise our expectations too high for the return. At this stage, taking a pitcher who’ll be Rule 5 eligible in December might make the most sense. The Royals have three currently healthy starting pitchers set to open in the minors 25+ who fit this description: Chandler Champlain, Andrew Hoffmann, and William Fleming. All were acquired via trade back in 2022.

The aim for the Mets here should be to get the best deal possible, but also play nice with other ball clubs. David Stearns has done a superb job at the latter with all of his cash for player deals made since he began running the Mets. He doesn’t have to strike any hard bargain with the Royals. Having previously discussed a Starling Marte for Hunter Harvey swap early on in the offseason, consider this a continuation.