The Pittsburgh Pirates have purchased right-handed-hitting corner outfielder Alexander Canario from the New York Mets. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com was the first to report the news. It and the corresponding move on the 40-man roster were later announced on Monday’s Pirates telecast.
Sources: The Mets have traded outfielder Alexander Canario to the Pirates for cash.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 31, 2025
Pirates Acquire Alexander Canario
Canario, 24, was originally signed by the San Francisco Giants as a free agent in 2016. At the 2021 trade deadline, the Giants sent him to the Chicago Cubs in the Kris Bryant trade. Canario is out of minor league options. The Cubs designated him for assignment in February when they signed Justin Turner. Four days later, the Mets acquired him for cash. The Mets designated him for assignment on Saturday.
In 21 major league games for the Cubs, Canario hit .286/.333/.524, 2 HR, and 8 RBI. Ironically, the first of his two home runs was a grand slam off the Pirates’ Kyle Nicolas in Canario’s second game. In seven years in the minors, Canario hit .261/.346/.501, 109 HR, and 366 RBI. He had his best season in 2022, when he jumped from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A, hitting 37 homers and driving in 97 runs across all three levels. He hasn’t come close to that kind of production since, although he did sock 18 home runs at Triple-A Iowa last year. Contact has been an issue for Canario. He’s struck out 593 times in 2,253 minor league plate appearances. However, he’s also shown a good eye at the plate, walking 239 times in those appearances, hence the .346 OBP.
What Next?
On Monday, Pittsburgh moved Jared Jones to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. A corresponding move, unknown at press time, must also be made to add Canario to the active roster. Candidates to get sent to Triple-A Indianapolis are infielder Enmanuel Valdéz, who was called up when Nick Gonzales went on the IL, and outfielder Ji Hwan Bae. The Pirates brass can’t be happy with Bae’s performance in the just-concluded Miami Marlins series. He struck out three times on Saturday, chasing pitches, and foolishly made the last out of the eighth inning at third base on Sunday. Bae may be out of rope. With the Pirates offense sputtering early on, Canario is certain to get some at-bats.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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