Robinson Cano
Player Data: Age 38, B/T: L/R
Primary Stats: 49 G, 182 PA, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 9 BB , 24 SO, .316 BA, .352 OBP, .544 SLG, .896 OPS
Advanced Stats: .319 BABIP, .376 wOBA, 141 wRC+, 144 OPS+, 1.3 fWAR, 0.9 bWAR, -4 DRS, 3 OAA
Free Agent: 2024
2020 Salary: $24 Million
Grade: B+
2020 Review:
Robinson Cano‘s 2019 season was pretty average, especially taking into account some missed playing time due to injuries. Cano hit .256/.307/.428 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI. Despite many fans being upset with the Cano trade, they didn’t have much to complain about in regards to the second baseman’s performance in 2020.
In the 2019 season, Cano’s hamstring and quad injuries caused him to put too much weight on his back leg as he followed through, not shifting enough to his front leg, which hindered his ability to get enough momentum to make effective contact with the ball. This caused him to fly out frequently.
Cano’s batting greatly improved this season. Taking a look at his mechanics, he distributed his swing in a way that created a great extension and bat lag giving him the ability to gain more power.
Comparatively, his head was much more level this season with his stance being more closed, which led him to build up more kinetic energy, moving his whole torso with his follow-through. This lead him to have more opposite-field hits than he was able to produce in the 2019 season.
Cano was able to carry the lineup for stretches this season, delivering on some of the promise that the Mets hoped for when they traded for him last winter. In August, the eight-time All-Star was particularly dominant.
That month, Cano hit .381/.403/.698, with five home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI and a 1.101 OPS. He finished the month carrying a .375 batting average on the season, and looked to be in contention for a batting title.
Over the final month of the season, Cano’s average took a hit, but he was still producing runs. In September, the second baseman had seven more extra-base hits and drove in 13 runs. According to both wRC+ and OPS+, Cano was the fourth-best hitter on the Mets this season.
Defensively Cano didn’t quite live up the billing of a two-time Gold Glove winner, but considering his age and how much of the Mets roster struggles in the field, Cano didn’t do as poorly as it may have seemed.
Despite having a -4 DRS, Cano had only one error and fielded 3 OAA, the second baseman did slightly better than expected. His injuries in the 2019 season definitely affected his ability to hustle for ground balls, which probably carried into 2020 with the groin injury he eventually faced.
Yet taking his age into account and how well he locates the ball, it’s hard to expect much more defensively from the 38-year-old, even if it’s not up to the standard that he once had.
2020 Key Moment
Cano had a few “tip of the cap” moments this season including a few multiple-hit games, excelling as a DH, and hitting 10 home runs, several of which brought home some base runners.
Cano also had the opportunity to show off his quick hands, with a few great plays including one shown in this video where he rotated perfectly, reaching behind him to save a base hit in a close game against the Phillies.
2021 Outlook
Going into the 2021 season, Robinson Cano’s role is pretty secure as the Mets don’t have another reliable second baseman. Hopefully, Cano can stay healthy enough to continue to contribute offensively, while relying on his instincts to be solid defensively at second base.
It’s expected that Cano will continue to be a mentor and leader to the younger Mets core in the 2021 season, as Pete Alonso has explained the knowledge and guidance that the MLB veteran has gifted him since being on the Mets.
