Pirates Trade: Outfielder Alexander Canario Acquired From Mets

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a trade, landing outfielder Alexander Canario from the New York Mets for cash considerations. Canario had been designated for assignment by New York on Thursday.

Canario totaled 21 games with the Chicago Cubs from 2023-24 and played well in the limited sample. The 24-year-old has put together a .286/.333/.524 batting line with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight RBIs in 45 plate appearances.

The Mets acquired Canario from the Cubs at spring training after he had been designated for assignment a few days prior.

Canario spent most of last season with Triple-A Iowa and hit .243/.336/.514 with 13 doubles, 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and five steals in 64 games. While the overall numbers are good, he did strike out in just over 30% of his plate appearances.

In his minor-league career between the Cubs and Giants’ organizations, Canario has slashed .261/.346/.501 with 109 home runs and 366 RBIs in 519 games.

Canario originally signed with the Giants as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 and was dealt to the Cubs as part of the Kris Bryant trade in 2021.

Defensively, Canario has experience at all three outfield positions in his minor-league career. In his brief big-league career, he’s mostly split time between the corner spots.

To make room for him on the roster, the Pirates transferred right-hander pitcher Jared Jones to the 60-day injured list. Jones is currently dealing with a right UCL sprain and is shut down from throwing.