Speaking with reporters (including Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times) on Saturday, Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano was apologetic about the 80-game suspension he has been serving since mid-May. Cano tested positive for Furosemide, which is a diuretic that masks the effects of PEDs, though he suggested that he didn’t knowingly take a banned substance. “The city of Seattle has become my second home for my family and I. I’m grateful to the organization, my teammates and the fans and as you guys know, I’ve been getting tested for the last 12 seasons and I’ve never had an issue with MLB policy,” Cano said. “I was being treated for some medical ailments and I was being supervised by a doctor. But at the same time, I understand that everything that goes into my body, I’m responsible for that.”
Because the Mariners (56-34) have been on a roll without Cano, who’s eligible to return Aug. 14 but ineligible for postseason play, it’s unclear whether he’ll man second base again when he comes back. Dee Gordon has moved from center field to second in Cano’s absence, and it’s possible the Mariners will keep Gordon at the keystone through season’s end. Asked if he’d be on board with shifting positions upon his return, Cano noted, “I haven’t talked to (general manager) Jerry (Dipoto) yet, but I would do anything for the team.” Should Gordon remain at second, the 35-year-old Cano could head to first, where Ryon Healy has only offered league-average offense this season.
Here’s more on Seattle and two other playoff hopefuls from the AL West:
- Thanks in part to the presences of Gordon and Healy, not to mention Cano’s age, he may have to move to designated hitter as early as next year, Bob Condotta of KLAY 1180 AM writes. The Mariners have Nelson Cruz at DH now, but he’ll be a free agent after the season. While Cruz is having yet another outstanding campaign at the plate, he’s unlikely to land an overly long or expensive contract considering his age (38) and inability to contribute on defense, Condotta posits. As such, whether the Mariners re-sign Cruz may hinge more on roster flexibility than whether they’re interested in meeting his asking price. Bringing Cruz back would affect not only the DH situation in Seattle, but also the team’s infield and outfield pictures, as Condotta explains in his piece.
- The Athletics announced that they’ve reinstated left-hander Brett Anderson from the 10-day disabled list and placed righty Paul Blackburn on the 10-day DL (retroactive to Saturday) with right elbow lateral epicondylitis. Anderson missed nearly two months with a left shoulder strain, adding to a long list of injuries in the 30-year-old’s career. He struggled in 15 1/3 innings before hitting the shelf, yielding 13 earned runs on 25 hits. Blackburn has endured a similarly poor season in the run prevention department (7.16 ERA in 27 2/3 frames), though ERA estimators FIP (3.56), xFIP (4.33) and SIERA (4.37) suggest he has deserved far better. It’s unclear how much time Blackburn could miss, but the location of his injury is alarming – especially considering he sat out all of April and May with a right forearm strain. Swapping Anderson for Blackburn will continue to leave the A’s with more than a full rotation’s worth of starters on the DL (depth chart).
- The three weeks leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline will serve as a left field audition for Astros prospect Kyle Tucker, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says. If the just-promoted Tucker doesn’t look ready to contribute on a regular basis, the Astros will “likely” look to acquire a veteran stopgap, according to Rosenthal, who points out that left field has not been an area of strength for their offense this season. Tucker, 21, made his Astros debut Saturday and went 1 for 4 with three strikeouts and a walk.
Rumncoke
Dangle Cruz on the market. See if any bites
jdgoat
Why would a team that’s likely going to make the playoffs trade a guy who is probably their best hitter?
NorahW
Because they haven’t made the playoffs since 2001, and Rumncoke probably thinks they won’t this year either, especially since they just lost 2 straight games to Colorado and three out of their last four.
Phil253
That logic is incredibly flawed.
NorahW
That’s how some people here still think, after no playoffs for 16 years, the longest drought in pro sports.
Garza Nathan
The Astros should grab a C and a OF .
Marwin should stay infield back up only.
McCann we dont know where he will be at the end of the day.
Realmuto solves alot of problems. You still need a reliever aswell. Stay away from Britton let some other sucker go for him.
jb19
Do the Astros really need to upgrade at C? That’s the 8th batter in a loaded lineup. OF of Tucker, Springer and Reddick, who needs to be upgraded?
GarryHarris
I hope the Astros allow the Max Stassi-Fed X combo an extended chance. Also, I’d like to see J.D. Davis get an extended look at 3B. They don’t know what they have in Davis yet.
DiggerTim
Are you planning to bench Player of the Month Bregman?
Kylesamac
I think they see Davis as Marwin’s replacement after this year.
Shane 2
I agree with you that Davis will be Marwins replacement
gorav114
Way off on Britton. It’s the other way around. Some team will get him cheaper because of recent health issues right when he’s starting to put it together again. He has dominating stuff and rested arm. He is only literally a week away from showing what he’s got again. I have watched every inning he has pitched professionally and I’m telling you, a team is going to get a steal with him.
chesteraarthur
Wow, not only are you calling a crazy turn around from Britton, but you are giving a time frame.
I think you’re way off on your evaluation, but I give you credit for your definitive prediction.
Shane 2
Stassi has some great numbers while catching for the Astros. I do think another hitting OFer could help but a closer is most important
arc89
Its the annual Brett Anderson injury pool game. How many starts before he re injuries himself again this year? So far 4 starts for the year. My guess 9 starts for the whole year. Post your numbers here.
em650r
Anderson was a dodger got booed when ever he pitched at home games no one wanted him I’m glad he’s gone
jkwdbu
The Astros do not need to make any moves this year at the deadline. It’s a fabulous position to BN. With the recent promotion of Kyle tucker, and the future promotions of Alvarez and Whitley, the only types of moves I think we should be considering would be toward the future—moves to replace players like Keuchel, Morton (I’d rather we extend him) and Gattis.
gorav114
I think Adam Jones would be a good fit for Houston. His days of centerfield are waning and it’s time for him to move to a corner outfield spot. He’s a great clubhouse guy and tough as nails veteran swinging a good bat this season too. He would fit in as smoothly as Verlander did last season and wouldn’t cost much.
chesteraarthur
Swinging a good bat? He has a wRC+ of 101.
Doc44
wRc ? That means nothing son. That’s just a stat created by non baseball people trying to figure out how to rate players. Key part of that is “trying to figure out”
Kylesamac
Considering the Astros built their team on stats like that and the eye test I would say they won’t be particularly interested and the Orioles over value him because their evaluation methods are out of date.
Shane 2
Strikes out way too much. Maybe a Jon Jones would be better and cheaper
Garza Nathan
C is the spot needed period. McCann and Harris gone at the end of the year.
jb19
Who’s Harris? Stubbs looks to be doing well in AAA. I would rather just “get by” with solid defensive catchers rather than looking to get offensive production out of them. There is no catcher in the majors that would displace our normal 1-5 – Springer, Bregman, Altuve, Correa and Yuli. Why would you trade a potential TOR arm in Whitley or an above avg OF in Tucker for Realmuto?
BrandonGregory74
Will Harris. Righty set up guy. He’s struggled done this year but was very good in 16 and 17.
jb19
Figured he was referring to Will Harris. Not sure we need to replace him for a run in the postseason. Sipp is also a FA after the end of the year. So is Gattis, Kuechel and Morton. Probably figure that out after the season instead of a mid season trade.
mattcondo
Could something like Wil Myers and Hand/yates for tucker and alvarez work for both teams?
lsujedi
Lol….. No
jb19
No
Kylesamac
Their top position player prospect and the only first base prospect in their system that can replace an aging Yuli Gurriel. The answer to that is no.
ldfanatic
Zero chance the Padres are getting Tucker, Alvarez or Whitley.
BKG98
DEAL.
Garza Nathan
Realmuto would be the add. I could see Stassi plus some top 20 guys not In the top 3 going the other way. It makes to much since for the Astros. McCann and Gattis are FA that just leaves Stubbs and Stassi. Realmuto would be a much needed upgrade. Plus he can Dh and play 1b
badlyalan05
No need for upgrade behind plate. Stassi leads AL in pitch framing and has done a very good job of handling the staff.
Reamulto should be an offseason deal.
Only guy I trade Tucker/Whitley or Alverez/Whitley combo for would be Snell. Not a need this year, but next if you let Morton and Dallas go FA. Main reason to get him now is to keep NY or Boston from getting him. He has dominated Astros this year. Give up either combo plus JB Bukauskus (sp) and add any one of our good AAAA prospects. Gotta wow the Rays to get him.
HighHardOne
As for Seattle they have some real tough choices coming up. Although Cruz is 38 he doesn’t look to be slowing down. If he could be had on a 2-3 year deal it opens up a very interesting possibility of seeing if there is any interest in Cano. Dee did a great job changing positions but he clearly is a 2B and if this is really who Healy is there is no room for Robbie there. As Cano heads into the last years of his deal we all anticipated that around years 6 or 7 we might look at DH /1B for Robbie but if those spots are taken care of for 3-4 years I might see what the market is like for Robinson.
whereslou
Healy will not finish his contract out at first. If we get 3 more years from Cruz move Healy to DH and White will hopefully be ready to come up and be our first bm.
This does make a question mark for Cano. Do we try and trade him use him at first/DH and second? I think he works as part time DH depending on how Healy does down the road. It is nice to have the choices.
Hopefully we will have Lewis up by then too. An OF of Haniger Lewis and Heredia will be a very very good OF. A lot of ground will be covered. Will be interesting to see who plays what position.
HighHardOne
Yup. Tough choices but choices I like having. However Cano has total non trade clause and ain’t going unless he wants to which I don’t see happening. Thx for your thoughts, future and the present looks good for M’s fans
astros_fan_84
The article gives no love to Tony Kemp. He’s got an .800 OPS with solid all around light hitting game. Even if Kemp isn’t in the long term plans, he’s as good a stop gap as the Astros could hope to find.
ldfanatic
If Tucker can stick, Kemp will be moved in a package for a RP.