Mets Designate Robinson Cano For Assignment; Expected to be Released After Clearing Waivers
One of the most notable players in Major League Baseball has hit the waiver wire.
Needing to comply with MLB’s updated roster rule, which decreases the limit from 28 to 26 players, the New York Mets have designated second baseman Robinson Cano for assignment, the team announced Monday.
Additionally, the team has also optioned pitcher Yoan Lopez to triple-A Syracuse, trimming their roster down to 26.
Prior to these transactions, there was plenty of speculation about whether Cano would remain in Queens following May 1st’s cut down deadline. Other potential candidates included Dominic Smith, Travis Jankowski and Luis Guillorme.
Once the time came to make a decision, though, New York opted to cut ties with Cano, who for now, is under contract through 2023. As soon as he clears waivers, management is expected to release the 39-year-old, making him a free agent.
Entering this season, the eight-time All-Star was still owed $48 million across the next two seasons. The Mets were only on the hook for $20.25 million per season, however, as the Seattle Mariners agreed to cover the remaining $3.75 million per year when they traded him in ‘18.
That blockbuster deal – which was made by former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who’s since been fired – brought Cano and closer Edwin Diaz to New York. In exchange, the team sent Jarred Kelenic, Gerson Bautista, Jay Bruce, Justin Dunn and Anthony Swarzak to Seattle. A trade that most Mets fans would happily take back if given the choice.
Cano missed all of last season after being suspended for PEDs for the second time in his career. His first offence came in May 2018, forcing him to miss 80 games. A third strike would ban him from MLB altogether.
In 12 games this season, the five-time Silver Slugger Award winner has struggled mightily at the plate, hitting just one home run and a .195/.233/.268 slash line across 43 plate appearances. He’s also earned a miserable 53 wRC+ score and -0.4 fWAR rating – both of which are career-worst marks.
Digging deeper into his struggles, Cano’s plate discipline has also been a major weakness thus far, courtesy of his 25.6 percent strikeout rate. He’s only earned a pair of walks up to this point, too.
Though he’s a two-time Gold Glove winner, due to his age, the 212-pound veteran wasn’t expected to spend much time at second base for the Mets this season. At most, the majority of his reps would’ve continued to come as the designated hitter.
If Cano catches on elsewhere, he’s likely to serve as a primary DH. But it remains to be seen if he’ll garner any interest in free agency.
For New York, they’ve enjoyed a remarkable 16-7 start to the season, placing them atop the National League East division. Entering Monday, the club currently features a three-game lead over the second-place Miami Marlins.
The Mets will begin a four-game series against the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves on Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: David B. King. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.