Former Cubs Outfielder Alexander Canario Traded to Pirates

The Chicago Cubs haven't seen the last of former outfielder Alexander Canario, with the team's former top prospect being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash on Monday. 

The Cubs parted ways with Canario during this year's Spring Training, where it was clear that regular at-bats were not going to be available for the young power-hitter. Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong are firmly in the outfield mix and there wasn't enough room for Canario on the bench after a slew of offseason additions. 

The Cubs traded the 24-year-old to the New York Mets on Feb. 24, where Canario found himself in a similar competition for playing time. He was designated for assignment by New York before Opening Day last Thursday.  

Now with his third team in the last six weeks, the Dominican Republic native will look to carve out a bench role with the Pirates in the coming days. Canario is a solid defender in the outfield with big-time thump in his bat. While he was still with the Cubs in 2022, Canario launched 37 home runs, 26 doubles, and 97 RBIs across three minor league levels before his development was stymied by a fluke play while playing for the Dominican Winter League in 2022. While running to first base, Canario broke his ankle and dislocated his shoulder in his subsequent tumble to the ground. 

Since receiving the surgeries to repair his broken limbs, Canario has never reached the heights he did in 2022. Although the athleticism and power potential are still part of his game, it has been nearly three full years since his historic 2022 season and we have yet to see him get a shot at regular playing time in MLB. Canario will likely face a similar problem in Pittsburgh, with Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinski, and Tommy Pham manning the Pirates outfield with Andrew McCutchen in the mix as well. 

The Cubs' first three-game series against Pittsburgh will begin on April 29 at PNC Park.