NY Mets trade with the Cubs does fill one need even if it doesn’t exist at the moment
The New York Mets didn’t wait long to replace Nick Madrigal on the 40-man roster. A trade with the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Alexander Canario brings them a right-handed hitting outfielder who in limited big league action has actually pieced together some good numbers. He doesn’t turn 25 until May and has shown an ability to hit for a ton of power in the minor leagues. He hammered 37 in 2022, another 24 in 2022, and last year had 18 long balls in only 283 trips to the plate. Strikeouts have been his issue although not at such a rate to completely dismiss him as a depth piece.
What’s not to love? The fact that Canario is out of options makes the trade somewhat perplexing. He’ll either need to make the Opening Day roster or pass through waivers. As a player who only cost the team cash, it was a worthwhile addition for maybe only one reason: their right-handed outfield depth is in disarray.
Alexander Canario gives the Mets right-handed outfield depth, something they were lacking previously
Canario joins Jose Azocar on the 40-man roster as a proverbial dead-man walking. Neither has options left and there is no room for them on the Opening Day roster outside of an injury. This is the second place where my Spidey sense takes me. Could there be some concern about the health of a player such as Starling Marte or one of the outfield duo of Jose Siri or Tyrone Taylor? Until we actually know something, Canario is an insurance policy.
The Mets depth chart doesn’t have too many true outfielders. Among them off of the 40-man roster are prospect Drew Gilbert who won’t be rushed to the majors and veteran Rafael Ortega. Both hit left-handed. The Mets signed Travis Swaggerty this offseason and more recently added another ex-Cubs outfielder, Gilbert Celestino. Swaggerty bats left-handed with Celestino swinging from the right side. You may remember the latter best from his RBI double over the weekend.
Witnessing the starting pitching depth drop like shorty flies on the dance floor, any sort of additional depth should be welcomed. The decision to make it an outfielder as the replacement for Madrigal suggests a few things. One is there wasn’t anyone else out there deemed an appropriate contender to fight for a bench spot. Another could be a lack of faith in Azocar either performing in a larger role or at least a belief he’ll get claimed through waivers or even opt out and become a free agent.
No clear cut plan for Canario is in place. The best case scenario could be an awesome spring and the Mets having the ability to flip him elsewhere for more than cash.
