Many key depth choices still need to be made throughout Spring Training for the Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster this season. Manager Craig Counsell announced the backup battles that will be in full swing early on throughout camp and that this will be a hard team to make. The goal for the Cubs in 2025 is as clear as ever: win the NL Central for the first time in five years.
Because the standard is set as high as it is, tough decisions will follow when it comes to narrowing the Opening Day roster down to 26 players. The current plethora of depth options that Chicago possesses is a good problem to have, but the front office and coaching staff will need to be creative when assembling the final squad.
Similar to teams in the past few years, the depth may come at the price of moving off a younger piece on the roster. At the 2023 trade deadline, it was shipping outfielder Nelson Velazquez to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Jose Cuas. If things fall a certain way this season, another younger outfielder could be running out of time with the Cubs organization.
Alexander Canario’s time with the Chicago Cubs could be limited
Alexander Canario was acquired at the 2021 trade deadline in the Kris Bryant deal with the San Francisco Giants. He is known for his power, as he hit 18 home runs in the 64 games that he spent in Triple-A last year. Canario has spent some time in the big leagues over the last two years, playing six games in 2023 and 15 in 2024.
Canario put himself on the map during the 2022 minor league season, which was his first full year in the Cubs organization. He clubbed out 37 home runs across three levels and drove in 97 runs to go along with his 26 doubles. Staying healthy that season was vital for Canario and the results spoke for themselves because he was able to do so.
Unfortunately, health wasn’t on Canario’s side in 2023 despite getting his first call to the show. He played just 53 games on the farm where he performed well, but his development took a hit due to him not staying on the field consistently.
As long as he can stay healthy, the 24-year-old can do damage at the plate and brings a strong defensive prowess to the table as well. Despite his raw power at the plate and ability to play all three outfield positions, Canario might be on the outside looking in when it comes to making the Opening Day roster in 2025.
Chicago Cubs veterans and prospects might block Alexander Canario
Canario is currently competing with fellow prospect Kevin Alcantara and Vidal Brujan for the backup centerfielder role behind Pete Crow-Armstrong. With Alcantara being the younger and more hyped-up prospect, Canario might be a step behind from the jump when it comes to competing to be the Cubs’ fifth outfielder this year.
Another option for Canario to find his way onto the Opening Day roster would have been to serve as the right-handed hitting first baseman next to Michael Busch. However, the signing of veteran infielder Justin Turner on Tuesday essentially eliminates that possibility.
The odds appear to be stacked against Canario to make the Cubs roster out of the gate in 2025. With him turning 25 during the season, his clock could be ticking for how much longer he’ll be able to stick around with the franchise.
Chicago Cubs DFA 24-year-old power-hitting outfielder
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