Robby Cano, say it ain't so! Ok, maybe not really.
The polarizing Mets second baseman who was acquired by then General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen two off-seasons ago from the Seattle Mariners in the Jared Kelenic deal, has been suspended by Major League Baseball for the entire 2021 season due to a positive test for PEDs.
This is the second time Cano has been suspended for steroid use; he was last suspended back in 2018 for using diurtec, and promptly received an 80 game suspension while with the Mariners.
At the time that didn't preclude VanWagenen from shipping the Mets best minor league prospect to the Mariners for Cano and reliever Edwin Diaz. As we all know that trade has been a colossal failure, with Diaz proving to be incapable of closing games, and Cano somewhat aloof at second base.
This news puts the final nail in the coffin on VanWagenen's hideous tenure as Mets General Manager. Of course Van Wagenen was fired by owner Steve Cohen and President Sandy Alderson over a week ago when Cohen completed his purchase of the team.
It's hard to sit here and say that losing to Cano to suspension is a tough break for the Mets. Quiet the contrary, it might be a blessing in disguise.
Cano, who had two years and $48 million remaining on his deal, will forfeit his 2021 salary of $24 million, creating an additional $5 million in cap room for the Mets this season.
With Cano out, the Mets have options they can plug in at second base. Namely they could move Jeff McNeil to his more suitable position, which is second. McNeil has spent most of his time in the outfield, but that is sure to change now. The Mets want to upgrade left field, while moving McNeil to a better location on the diamond.
In 103 games at second, McNeil has a .991 fielding percentage.
The Mets could also move Andres Gimenez over the second base as well. Gimenez played mostly short stop last season when it became clear the Mets were growing tired of the struggles of Amed Rosario. Gimenez proved to have a steady glove and live bat, hitting .263 in 132 plate appearances.
The Cano news also allows the Mets to explore their options outside the organization. DJ LeMahieu is the big name free agent out there at second base. LeMahieu was an absolute beast for the Yankees the past two years, hitting .336 and proving to be the Yankees best overall hitter. He is a free agent. The Yankees tried to sign him to a 1-year tender, but he declined opting to see his value on the market.
The Mets would and could be interested in the soon-to-be-32-year old infielder; although they will have competition for him, including from the Yankees.
The other option of course is swinging a deal for Francisco Lindor. The Mets have been linked to Lindor for months, even before the news on Cano broke. Lindor is in the midst of his prime at 26-years old, and is considered one of the best short stops in the game. In 2019 he hit 32 home runs and drove in 74. The year before, Lindor smashed 38 dingers and drove in 92.
Getting Lindor won't be easy. The Cleveland Indians are going to ask for a lot. Trading Amed Rosario to them would be a start, but they would likely require a lot, lot more - perhaps a McNeil, or Gimenez, or even Dom Smith, or a pitcher. The Mets don't have a lot on the farm that they can trade. However with Cano out, the Mets could convince themselves to stay with either McNeil or Gimenez -- put one of them at second base, while trading the other to Cleveland for Lindor.
Crazier things have happened.
Regardless the Mets are in a better position today than they were yesterday when it comes to filling out their needs in free agency and in the trade market.
Bye Robinson Cano, we hardly knew ye.
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