Robinson Cano, New York Mets. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
After missing all of last season, the New York Mets have designated Robinson Cano for assignment after only 12 games played this year.
It seems as though the Robinson Cano era of New York Mets baseball is finally over, as the former All-Star infielder was designated for assignment on Monday.
The Mets announced on Monday morning they were option right-hander Yoan Lopez to Triple-A and DFA-ing Cano to bring the roster to 26 players. New York has a four-game series to start this week vs. the division rival Atlanta Braves. While New York gotten off to a fast start this year, the Mets are still on the hook for most of the $40.5 million Cano was slated to collect through 2023.
This big figure stems from the gargantuan contract the former New York Yankees star signed to play for the Seattle Mariners in 2014 MLB free agency.
New York Mets DFA Robinson Cano, costing them roughly $40.5 million
In limited action this season, Cano slashed .195/.233/.268 for the Mets with one home run and three runs batted in over the course of 12 games. Cano is a career .302 hitter, but a year out of baseball has led to a rough start for him at the plate. At 39 years old and probably looking for a new team, Cano will have an incredibly difficult time of getting to 3,000 career hits at this point.
Will somebody pick up Cano? Probably, as the Mets are eating the bulk of his remaining salary. A change of scenery could do him some good. Though it has been a long time since he played in a meaningful postseason game, Cano was a huge part of the Yankees’ most recent World Series championship now over a decade ago back in 2009. Anticipate for him to be outright released.
There is no reason for one of the best second baseman of his generation to be toiling away in the minor leagues aimlessly in the twilight of his career. With the DH being universal, that could give him a great opportunity at sticking somewhere else. He does have 335 career home runs to his name, playing a position not known for power. It was pricey, but the Mets made the right move.
Are we really about to see Bobby Bonilla Day replaced with Robinson Cano Day on future July 1’s?