Robinson Cano Will Have Tough Time Fitting Back Into Mets
The Mets have played the entirety of their 2021 season without the services of Robinson Cano. Cano, of course, received his second PED suspension last November.
The trade to acquire Cano and Edwin Diaz for Jarred Kelenic and others — which was questionable at the time and has progressively looked even worse — could be an entire discussion of its own. But the past is the past. The Mets have gone through two general managers since they cut ties with Brodie Van Wagenen, and the front office has undergone an overhaul with owner Steve Cohen taking the realms and the initiation of a search for the next president of baseball operations.
Like it or not, Cano is going to be suiting up for the Mets in 2022.
The question is how Cano fits into the roster at this point — that is, assuming he doesn’t receive yet another PED suspension. He’s 38 years old and has played in 49 games over the last two years. Before that, in 2019, he posted a mediocre 94 wRC+ and 0.8 fWAR in 107 games. He’s certainly not a lock to be a major offensive contribution the way he was during his prime in the early 2010’s.
And having been suspended not just once, but twice, Cano might have some clearing the air to attend to with the Mets clubhouse. Francisco Lindor, who is yet to take the field on the same team as Cano, spoke to Mike Puma of the NY Post on Friday about what he expects from Cano once he returns.
“He probably has to apologize,” Lindor said. “I am assuming that is what he is going to do when he comes back and just talk to the group and address the group and just be sincere and honest with himself and us.”
Naturally, Cano will likely have a long leash considering his veteran status and respect within the game. But depending on whether the Mets re-sign Javier Baez, there isn’t an obvious role for Cano, even just from a baseball standpoint. With Lindor, potentially Baez, and J.D. Davis around the infield, Cano might not be guaranteed a starting job.
Of course, a lot could still change, such as the Mets trading Davis and/or acquiring other new pieces. But with Cano in an iffy place both baseball-wise and dependability-wise, it’s tough to guarantee him any type of major role.
Despite what many fans might view as an inexcusable double-suspension, Lindor still believes that Cano is the widely respected veteran that he built a reputation as.
“He’s got to be honest with the group, but I know at the end of the day he’s a man, and we all make mistakes, and he’s been in the game for a long time,” Lindor said. “Most of the guys that are playing right now looked up to him when we were growing up. I was one of the guys who looked up to him and seeing him on the biggest stage doing it and then playing against him, playing with him in All-Star games and stuff, he was always fun.”
Pete Alonso was another Mets player to express his faith in Cano, crediting what Cano has done for him personally.
“I admire Robbie because he really helped my development as a big leaguer and also understanding how New York works,” Alonso said. “He treated me like a big leaguer from day one and he was basically like another coach. Personally and professionally he helped me so much and I respect that.”
First thing’s first, Cano is going to have to live up to this heightened reputation his teammates have of him. He’s going to have to re-earn that respect, and that starts with the basic: not getting suspended for PEDs.
After that, all eyes will be on whether Cano can still be a valuable major league player as he nears the end of his 30s. He was somewhat of an afterthought in a 2021 season that had its ups and downs but ultimately was a massive letdown in the eyes of Mets fans. But he’s coming back, and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the 2022 Mets.
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