PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 24: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Mets looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Robinson Cano has tested positive for PEDs for the second time in his career.
Cano was expected to play a large role on the resurgent Mets in the 2021 season, but will instead be forced out of action after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Rob Manfred and MLB have cracked down on PEDs since the Mitchell Report in the early 2000’s exposed how rampant drug use was in the game of baseball. Cano, who had been suspended 80 games in 2018 while a member of the Seattle Mariners, said his use of PEDs was long behind him. As it turns out, that isn’t the case at all.
Cano hit .316 last season in 49 games, hitting 10 home runs paired with 30 RBIs. At age 37, this does immeasurable damage to his already-sullied reputation. He’ll be forced to sacrifice his entire salary for next season, and will have just two years remaining of the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed with the Mariners in 2014.
What does a second positive test mean for Cano’s Hall of Fame chances?
Cano was already teetering on Hall-of-Fame worthy given the first strike against him. While baseball all but ensures three chances at the plate, when it comes to positive drug tests — especially these drugs — the BBWAA is unlikely to be as forgiving.
A number of more capable players than Cano are still waiting for entry to Cooperstown, such as Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, because their names are connected to steroids. Considering Cano has quite literally been caught twice, it’s unlikely he’ll have the votes necessary to get in.
But, such is the gamble he took in the first place.