As per Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners have moved past the preliminary stages of trade talks involving star second baseman Robinson Cano.
According to the report, the teams have outlined a potential swap which would include the Mariners absorbing “approximately $10 million annually of the $120 million owed to Cano over the next five years”.
Brodie Van Wagenen is reportedly trying to pry Edwin Diaz — who has previously been made available, as per reports — or outfielder Mitch Haniger from Seattle while attempting to shed Jay Bruce‘s two-year, $28 million deal on the Mariners.
Acquiring Cano would likely slide Jeff McNeil into a utility role, or third base (where he has 161 games of experience) if the Mets trade Todd Frazier.
The report doesn’t mention the prospect (s) the Mets would have to give up in addition to Bruce, but given the return it would have to be significant.
Cano, 36, has a .304/.355/.493 slash line with 311 homers, 1,233 runs batted in, and a 127 OPS+ over the course of his 14-year career. Since leaving the Yankees for the Mariners in 2014, Cano has hit .296/.353/.472 with a 129 OPS+.
The second baseman was suspended for 80 games last season after testing positive for furosemide, which is primarily used as a masking agent. Despite the missed time, Cano hit .303/.374/.471 with 10 homers, 50 RBI, and a 136 OPS+ in 80 games (348 plate appearances).
Unloading Bruce would be a plus, especially after the less-than-par season he had in 2018 after coming back to Queens on a three-year, $39 million deal. The 31-year-old missed nearly half the season with a number of ailments and hit .223/.310/.370 with nine homers and 37 RBI in 361 plate appearances.
Adding a young, upper-echelon closer in Diaz would adequately fit into the Mets’ offseason plans. The 24-year-old right-hander pitched to a 1.96 earned-run average in 73 appearances last season (73.1 innings), racking up a league-leading 57 saves with 124 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a 208 ERA+.
Haniger, 27, hit .285/.366/.493 with 26 homers, 93 RBI, and 148 strikeouts in 157 games in right field for the Mariners last season, making his first All-Star team in his third year in the league.
We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
