Just one week after selling off their ace in James Paxton to the Yankees, the Mariners are reportedly trying to shop their $24M 2nd baseman Robinson Cano to the club as well.
The Athletic reported early Monday that the Mariners have contacted the Yankees as well as the Mets regarding a potential trade for the 8x all-star. Although a deal is highly unlikely, could Cano fit into the new fold in the Bronx?
In case you forgot, the now 36-year-old left the Yankees after the 2013 season for a 10-year/$240M deal with the Mariners, and Seattle hasn’t reached the playoffs since.
Cano is coming off a PED suspension shortened season in 2018 where he slashed .303/.374/.471 with 10 home runs and a 136 wRC+ in 80 games. However, his defense has taken a hit since he left for the Mariners, but not to the point of absurdity. Per FanGraphs, Cano was still an above average defender in 2018 at 2nd base with 4 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and a 2.8 UZR/9.3 UZR/150 (Ultimate Zone Rating).
If somehow, a deal was completed between the two clubs, Cano could maybe slot back in at 2nd base and then have Gleyber Torres man the fort at shortstop with Didi Gregorius out into the summer. Which would give the Yankees a positional lineup of the following:
C: Gary Sanchez
1B: Luke Voit
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Miguel Andujar
SS: Gleyber Torres
LF: Brett Gardner
CF: Aaron Hicks
RF: Aaron Judge
DH: Giancarlo Stanton
A reunion may sound all well and good, but my personal take: No thanks.