Mariners “Actively” Trying To Move Robinson Cano

[ewitkows]

The challenges in moving Cano are obvious. Though the eight-time All-Star remained productive when on the field in 2018, he turned 36 in October, missed 80 games this past season due to a PED suspension and is owed a hefty $120MM over the final five seasons of a 10-year, $240MM contract (signed under former Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik). Cano also has the ability to veto a trade to any team, which only further muddies an already unenviable situation for Dipoto & Co.

 

Warts aside, Cano hit .303/.374/.471 with 10 homers and 22 doubles through 348 plate appearances when he wasn’t suspended in 2018 — including a .317/.363/.497 line upon returning from that 80-game ban. Both OPS+ and wRC+ pegged his overall offensive contribution at 36 percent better than that of a league-average hitter (after being weighted for league and his hitter-friendly home park). Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating each indicated that Cano was an above-average defender at second base in 561 innings there, and he even dabbled at the infield corners a bit in ’18.

From MLBtraderumors.com

 

If we wanted to go into win now mode and I think we could be ok with taking on 50 Mil/ 10mil per year, this could be an option. Who knows , he may get popped again and then we'd be off the hook.

[TURBO]

He might be productive in 2019, but how long after? Do we want to be on the hook for anything for his 38, 39, 40, and 41 seasons?

 

Pass for me.

[RollieTime]

It seems way too risky to me to pay a guy that much through his age 40 season. Being on the hook for 5 seasons of an aging player and very expensive contract does not make any sense for the Brewers. That money can be spent much better elsewhere.

[long ball]

When there are so many freely available options for second base I don't think it makes sense to acquire Cano. The risk reward benefit probably isn't there at that price for the brewers. Once he's moved off of first base he probably won't be worth $10mm/yr anyway.

[pacopete4]

A perfect example of how dumb some of these contracts get when these guys get into their 30's. Cain is enough of a gamble for me already. Pass.

[Lathund]

Pass. Unless they eat basically the entire contract; and even then I'm not really sold on it. There's a real risk of the decline hitting him hard without the PEDs. Or continuing to juice and getting caught again. I was even looking forward to being able to condemn cheating after 2020 without being called a hypocrite by fans of other teams, wouldn't want to push that forward even further.

[NievesNoNO]

Pass. I mean I guess there's an exception or a way to make anything work but taking on the long term contracts of past prime players shouldn't be part of the Brewers plan

[OnaBadger58]

Ca...No thanks

[nate82]

I wouldn't even do a Braun for Cano plus prospects deal.

 

That contract is just ugly it looked ok when he signed it but wow now it is just horrible.

[wallus]

I definitely do not see a match here.

[KeithStone53151]

I wouldn't say hard no, but I can't imagine what a structure of this deal would look like. They'd have to eat at least 60-70% of the contract. I can't imagine Cano gets traded unless they simply don't want the guy and are willing to lose the trade badly to simply punt him off the team. Maybe the Yankees step up and take him and 40% of his contract for nobody prospects...with the Mariners simply paying 60% of his contract to get rid of him. If I'm the Mariners, I wouldn't do that unless for whatever chemistry or appearance reasons they simply refuse to have him on the team next year.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

There aren't many places that would make less sense than Milwaukee for Cano.

[StearnsFTW]

Cano & $60,000,000 for Braun. I'm in.

 

Of course neither player waives their ntc, but still.

[RockCoCougars]

If they want to include Diaz, I would be interested. They'd have to take Albers and Anderson /Davies, a lighter haul of prospects and kick in some cash though. Maybe throw in Jeffress or Thames also to help offset the money.

[3and2Fastball]

Yes please re Edwin Diaz

[nate82]

If they want to include Diaz, I would be interested. They'd have to take Albers and Anderson /Davies, a lighter haul of prospects and kick in some cash though. Maybe throw in Jeffress or Thames also to help offset the money.

 

Maybe Albers, Anderson, Braun, Thames, Schoop and a prospect for Diaz and Cano plus cash?

[brewmann04]

no way DS does any type of deal for Cano

[JosephC]

I'm not in favor of trading for Cano, but it's amazing looking through some of his numbers.

 

He has been remarkably durable. He broke his hand on a hit by pitch and was suspended during this last season, but prior to that he had played in at least 150 games in 11 straight seasons. Played in 156+ games in 10 of those seasons. No major knee, shoulder, elbow injuries that cost him big chunks of time and obviously not too many stints on the DL with grade one strains. And his offensive numbers the last three seasons: .292/.350/.490/.840 and would likely have averaged 30 HR+ and 90 RBI+ if not for the suspension. Just remarkable consistency and production this late in his career. Almost all of this as a middle infielder. Checked through his numbers and his season high total for games played as a DH is 9 and that happened all the way back in 2012. +15 DRS as a second baseman and on the plus side of UZR/150 over the last three years too, so at least the defensive metrics have him as still being able to get the job done in the field.

 

I wouldn't want to stick 120 million into him considering his age, but there is pretty good reason to think that he will maintain his status as a "well above league average" second baseman through the next two or three seasons.

[owbc]

Sounds like the Mets are close to acquiring Diaz and Cano in a package deal. It will be interesting to see how much salary the Mets pick up to do this. What a tragedy for Mariners fans to potentially lose a 24-year-old star in a salary dump trade...even if it is the right move.

[jerichoholicninja]

If I'm the Mets, I immediately flip Diaz for a bunch of prospects. But I'm not, so they will probably hold on to him or give him a ridiculous extension.

[NievesNoNO]

Sounds like the Mets are close to acquiring Diaz and Cano in a package deal. It will be interesting to see how much salary the Mets pick up to do this. What a tragedy for Mariners fans to potentially lose a 24-year-old star in a salary dump trade...even if it is the right move.

 

Saw that. I'm not sure that it is the right move for Seattle. As bad as that contract is going to turn out, to include a guy you could deal by himself for a haul seems not smart, unless they're getting rid of the full contract. I'm guessing it's directive being handed down by ownership; even if they get rid of half the contract it's a lot of money on the bottom line for sure. From a pure baseball decision it's not good, imo. Having the contract on the roster doesn't stop you from rebuilding.

 

From the Mets perspective, does it mean they're shifting positions on trading a pitcher? It would seem to me like they're "going for it" instead of reloading.

[3and2Fastball]

The Mariners are really gambling by dealing Diaz. I know relief pitchers are historically volatile but Diaz was pretty amazing in 2018. Arguably better than Hader ... They better be getting a really nice haul back. I think Jerry DiPoto is a trade addict

[RollieTime]

I’ve seen OF prospect Jarred Kelenic (Wisconsin native and 6th overall pick in 2018) and RHP prospect Justin Dunn as being rumored to be part of a return to the Mariners. They are ranked 62nd and 89th respectively in MLB’s top 100 list. If they could get those two and save something like $100 million over 5 years, I could see the appeal from the Mariners’ standpoint.

[Vollbc74]

Let’s get wild.

 

Ray, Anderson, & Lutz

For

Cano & Diaz

 

followed by

 

Hiura, Erceg, & Woodruff

For

Syndergard

 

Lineup:

Cain

Cano

Yelich

Aggy

Shaw

Braun

Pina

Arcia

 

SP:

Thor

Chacin

Burnes

Peralta

Davies/Nelson

 

BP:

Diaz

Hader

Knebel

Jeffress

 

Totally unrealistic and mortgages future, but fun to think about.

[wallus]

Mark would have to really bump up payroll to make that deal happen. At first, I laughed it off but it COULD happen I guess assuming Cano would want to come here?