Cubs officially announce corresponding move to Alex Canario's DFA

Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts will forever be linked to his "breaking even" comments when asked about the team's payroll strategy, and the Cubs' latest move is rightfully being mocked.

When the Cubs signed veteran infielder Justin Turner, the team signaled the end of outfield prospect Alexander Canario's time with the organization. Despite being the prized prospect in the Kris Bryant trade at the 2021 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, Canario never surpassed 50 plate appearances with the Cubs at the Major League level.

It was unlikely that Canario, given the power in his bat, was going to pass through waivers. On Monday night, the Cubs did find a trade partner for the young outfielder. The Cubs dealt Canario to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

Hopefully, those cash considerations will go a long way toward the Cubs being able to break even this season. We just won't mention that, according to Spotrac, the Cubs' projected payroll for the 2025 season falls under $200MM. Oops. Of course, the Cubs will use that fact to puff out their chests and say they have room to make moves at the MLB Trade Deadline but action-less words are what has described the organization since 2019.

In an ironic twist, Canario is taking the roster spot on the New York Mets' roster that was formally occupied by former Cubs' teammate, Nick Madrigal. Madrigal landed on the 60-day IL due to a dislocated shoulder.

What can the Chicago Cubs learn from Alexander Canario?

If the "cash considerations" the Cubs received from the Mets are eventually involved in a Trade Deadline deal for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or a contract extension for Kyle Tucker, we will be glad to revisit this and say we were wrong but Canario's path with the Cubs is an example of how the organization is not as great at handling their prospects as they want us to believe. The Cubs never had a plan for Canario and despite past offseasons where his prospect value was high enough to be in a potential trade for an impact talent, he is out of the organization with barely a whimper. That can't be the blueprint moving forward if the team's contention window is going to be overwhelmingly dependent on their internal evaluations.