Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres are expected to finalized a deal on Friday with former Mets second baseman Robinson Cano. The Mets officially released the veteran on Mother’s Day after making the decisions to designate him for assignment on May 2.
Lin reports that the Padres have been discussing a major league deal with the veteran left-handed hitter. The Padres’ designated hitters have been among the worst in the majors with an ugly .206/.290/.282 slash line.
Canó was given 43 plate appearances during April 2022 to show he could rebound from a year off that was a result of a positive steroid test. He produced just eight hits–seven singles–and a .501 OPS. He mainly played second base and designated hitter, batting sixth in the lineup ahead of Jeff McNeil and Mark Canha. His power just wasn’t there anymore between his performance this season and in the Dominican Winter League. He had four extra-base hits over his last 117 plate appearances, all while producing well-below-average defense and speed.
The Mets are on the hook for about another $36 million between this year and next year that they have to pay Canó. The 39-year-old was acquired by the Mets back in December of 2018 that also netted New York closer Edwin Diaz. The Mets sent right-handed pitcher Anthony Swarzak, outfielder Jay Bruce, recent first rounder Jarred Kelenic, and right-handed pitching prospects Justin Dunn and Gerson Bautista to Seattle.
Canó finished his Mets career .269/.315/.450 with 24 home runs in 168 games. During his three plus years with the Mets, Canó produced only 2.2 WAR was paid about $75 million.
Canó’s agent is currently former Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, the same person that pulled the trigger on the Mets acquisition of Robinson back in 2018. The Mariners travel to Citi Field this weekend to play the Mets for the first time since the trade happened.
