Robinson Cano has now served the 162-game suspension he received a year ago after testing positive for Stanozolol, the second time he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in his career. That means he’s back on the Mets’ depth chart with two years remaining on his contract, making $24MM in each of 2022 and 2023. An optimistic Mets fan could be excited by his return, given Cano’s incredible 2020 campaign wherein he hit .316/.352/.544, an incredible wRC+ of 142 in his age-37 season. Of course, a pessimistic fan could say that “incredible” is the operative word and use the positive test as reason to expect reduced production in 2022.
Team president Sandy Alderson discussed the issue with Tim Healey of Newsday. “How he is received will depend on how he conducts himself and explains himself between now and spring training,” Alderson said. “A good deal of how the fans will respond is dependent on how he conducts himself.” When asked about how the clubhouse would respond, Alderson said, “I think the same will apply.”
Cano is now 39 and one year removed from MLB action, although he is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic in order to prepare for the upcoming season. The fact that he’s still owed $48MM makes it difficult to see the club releasing him or finding a trade partner, placing them in the awkward position of having to put him back out there and hope that he can return to form. As Alderson said, “I don’t think there will be any change in his [roster] status between now and spring training.”
Alderson also discussed the team’s rotation, saying that they are looking for upgrades there. “Starting pitching is definitely something we need to address,” he said, stressing that they will be open to adding both at the top end of the rotation, as well as depth options. On paper, the rotation currently consists of Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill and David Peterson, who all dealt with either injury or underperformance in 2021. But there’s also the big unanswered question of Noah Syndergaard, who has until November 17 to decide whether or not to accept the $18.4MM qualifying offer the Mets extended to him. If he were to accept, he could potentially slot behind deGrom as the team’s #2, but after Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2020 and limited him to just two innings in 2021, he also comes with uncertainty. As for deGrom, who went on the IL with elbow inflammation on July 18 and never returned, “Do I expect Jacob to be back 100%? Yes,” Alderson said. “But as with all pitching, we’ll see.”
Uncertainty seems to be the running theme with the Mets, as they are also still looking to hire a manager and a general manager. As for the former, Alderson doesn’t seem particularly concerned, saying, “a list [of possibilities] is not that difficult to put together.”
The Mets and Cano were made for each other.
This is so true
It seems Stanozolol in particular is a favorite steroid of MLB players who violate the PED policy. I know it’s the same one several players have tested positive for including Rafael Palmero. From what I understand it’s not one of those steroids you can “unintentionally” ingest. You have to draw it up in a needle and inject it directly so the players can’t really even pretend they didn’t know they were cheating. I wonder what it is about that particular brand of PED players like. Is it extremely potent or something?
It can be taken orally, so you could accidentally ingest it but athletes use that as an excuse. The reason it’s popular is because it’s a classic and it works. Bacon and eggs is to breakfast as stanozol is to PEDs.
Lol. “It’s a classic.”
Bigger idiot
We all know that his Aunt Tilly accidentally put it in her famous banana bread. She didn’t know it was steroids, she just thought he would sleep better He says he was devastated, that he didn’t know and will never eat Aunt Tully’s banana bread again
Sh ut up, no one asked you
Lol
Chapman and the Yankees are made for each other
Ozuna and the Braves are made for each other
@MetsFan22. You’re just petty. The Mets are an even bigger embarrassment than the Astros. They might be disgusting but at least they’re still winning. Oh and by the way..just how MANY ethically challenged front offices types are the Mets going to hire anyway?
While many of his posts are nonsense, I agree that the Mets and Cano are not made for each other. The Mets are an utter train wreck of dysfunction and mediocrity highlighted by bloated salaries, but their players do not have a track record of cheating with steroids that exceeds most other clubs. Certainly the Dodgers have had Eric Gagne, Manny Ramirez, Julio Urias and Trevor Bauer. I am not picking on the Dodgers as they and the Cubs are my favorite teams. Or the Yankees with AROD, Clemens, Pettitte and Chapman. Nelson Cruz, Yasmani Grandal etc. The Mets are a dumpster fire but trading for Cano was stupidity not a lack of ethics.
@MannyBeingMVP I agree, and I believe BVW used the Mets FO as a means to better a few of the players he represented as an agent in his previous position; regardless of the outcome in the field. We’ve been spat upon so much in these few past years, and it’s a shame.
Under Cohen, there’s no doubt in my mind that, after last year’s miserably failed attempt at post-season play; the Alderson clan needs to go ASAP. I feel that this stigma will not be put to bed until they are fully extracted from the equation; father and son. So everyone in here who feels the need to bash this team, remember that the Mets fans have no control over the team’s decisions, and we’re forced to watch it all play out as everyone else will. I look at every team objectively, and trash talk is just childish when we all have an open platform here to actually discuss these situations intelligently. I get it that we all get pissed off from time to time, but some people have this insatiable need to go below and beyond. It’s just sad, in my opinion.
But the Braves still won DA.
Idiot
Robinson Cano. Just another player who got greedy and got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. No hall of fame for him now. Sadly a lot of these superstars probably still would have made a fortune and still made the HOF had they done it right.
“A good deal of how the fans will respond is dependent on how he conducts himself.”
Translation: No one will care if he produces.
Sadly, he will be forgiven if he hits like Nelson Cruz. But Cano will not do anywhere near that well and will be fighting with Squirrel, Smith and Davis for playing time.
Cohen is a Wall St guy. He knows about bad investments. The Mets should just release Cano. Forget the DH, forget part time player. Cut him and move on
Why would you cut him before knowing what he has left? If he hits anything like he did during the abbreviated 2020 year you’d want him around.
Because emotional decisions are more satisfying
Uhhh, the Mets aren’t winning anything next year. Take 2022 and develop a young player, and maybe in 2023 the Mets will have a nice player who can contribute to a playoff team. Certainly better than a 41yr old Cano, who would still be under contract then, no?
@bucsfanooo4 When you are done with the crystal ball, can others have a look? In February 2021 Fangraphs put out odds to make the playoffs, they had the Mets at 81% and the favorite in the East. They had the Giants with just a 7.9% (yes there is a decimal in there) chance to make the playoffs!! These are guys who study the game inside and out. They had the Yankees at 91% and the Rays at just 18.7% of a chance to make the playoffs!! Any team can win any given year. If Cano is one of the 26 best players the Mets have for a uniform, then he should be in a uniform. As for forgiving, just ask Petitte and Clemens, Andy came clean and the fans embraced him.
And Clemens backed up his denial of steroid use in a court of law, risking his freedom to do so. He gets a pass IMHO as well.
Pettite is misunderstood man
I agree that the Mets are a long shot to make the playoffs in 2022. But every team should play at least the first 60 games like they are going to win it all.. The Mets should play anyone even Cano if they think it gives them the best chance to win until the standings give them cause to play younger players.
Because he cheated to put up those numbers and he’s 39 and hasn’t hit MLB pitching in over a year. No reason to think a clean Cano will produce.
A-Rod came back in his age 39 season and hit 33 homers. The way athletes cycle off the thing means the effects don’t just stop right away.
Nelson Cruz and David Ortiz didn’t/haven’t aged when everyone else over the last 10-20 years not suspected of using PEDs just fell off post age 36.
Hr did indeed violate the rules that he agreed upon as a MLB player but there’s no evidence that he “cheated”, as we don’t know if the so called PEDS actually enhance performance; it’s a lot more complicated than popping a pill each AM during the season and winning the MVP award in October, so we have no idea how he’ll perform if he plays clean because we have no evidence that the supplement was effective.
You’re basically saying there’s no reason that substance should be banned. Why take it then? Why ban it? There’s a big difference between a pop fly out and a home run. Big difference between a weak roller ground ball and a frozen rope that gets through.
@ruthplayedthetuba, PEDs enhance strength, they do not effect the eyesight. Flyballs that were warning track fly balls may go over the fence, line drives may carry further, but no PED is going to turn a weak roller ground ball into a frozen rope. That’s not a thing. Where the bat meets the ball is eye hand coordination and is not enhanced by PED usage..
You sure ?
The increased strength wouldn’t get the bat in position faster. Therefore, the bit late on it weak grounder turns into a perfectly squared up line drive ?
Barry Bonds? Was it the lab that helped him see? Absolutely the best batting eye. Was under the impression that his chemists helped with this as well.
Wow reality check; its called a PED because it enhances PERFORMANCE!!
Anyone could see that from his 2020 numbers and I called it out on this board before he got nailed a second time. People in 2020 were criticizing my screen name because of his performance and I said WATCH he his juicing again and Voilà he got nailed again!
PEDs also help you with recovery from injuries and stamina not just strength.
I mean, he’s 38 coming off a suspension. They already have DH filled, him playing second base pushes McNeil to a less ideal position. Not unthinkable to just say, see ya, it’s been real. I’d like to consider him in a PH role, something ala Rusty Staub at the end of his career.
@Cosmo2
If McNeil’s the primary starter anywhere for the Mets, that’s not good sign. If he’s not traded, he should be same as Cano – part time player.
As for Cano, he should use the time between now and opening day to become utility player. He’s also a fit as left hand hitting DH option. Unlike a broken down Staub at the end of his career, a healthy Robinson Cano should be able to legitimately play many games on both sides of the ball if needed.
I don’t see giving up on McNeil after one bad season and I don’t see Cano as a utility guy. Staub wasn’t broken down, he was just an older version of himself, even slower and more a liability in the field. But he was always slow. Cano could still have the bat for a PH roll, but I don’t see him moving around the diamond, and I fully expect McNeil to provide well more value than Cano.
I am just arguing you have a bona fide competition for playing time in Spring Training and let the chips fall however they fall. You play your best talent and some players are better but need more rest. The Mets should play like they are trying to win it all for the first 60 games or until they are ten games out of both the division lead and the wild card. So should the Pirates and the Diamondbacks. After the All-Star break then they can assess trying out young players if the odds of winning get remote.
And miss out on all that WAR are you insane!?
2nd-time offender and each time he’s suspended he defers his salary. What incentive does the team have for him to stop using? If I believed in Q, I’d trace the shipment back to Trader Jerry (to get out from the 3.75M he was owed that season from SEA).
It’s not a salary deferment. It’s permanently withheld.
That year of salary is gone, so are you suggesting the Mets set him up to test positive again? As tempting as that may be, that would be a bad faith move when the MLB and MLBPA are headed toward an impasse. The only way I see them moving on from Cano is in a contract swap.
Cano has a full no trade clause and wants to be in NYC.
He also has intentions of establishing records as a 2B which prior to his PED issues he was probably a HOF. Not sure if he is now probably not but the records will still be his.
Cano is definitely not a Hall of Famer unless the sport decides to create a special category for asterick hall of famers after Bonds times out. I don’t think it will happen but there is a small chance. I assume that Cano cares about his last paychecks and maybe the records and might even want to help his team win. But he and the other PED cheats are not hall of famers for me. But I do see two sides to it.
I feel that Bonds, Arod, Clemens, Cano, Pete Rose and Schilling are HOFs in spite of their flaws which are unfortunately attached to them in the public view. There was no testing prior and there are those in the Hall who are similarly guilty.
Rose belongs in the hall as a player only and also deserves to finish his life out of the game.
How about renegotiating his contract and making him an assistant hitting coach? I mean, the guy knows what he’s doing at the plate, regardless of whether or not he can actually hit the ball anymore. But at least he would be somewhat productive in his position. I’d much rather have him in a coaching spot then on the field making a difference in the actual game. I’ve been dreading his return ever since the announcement that his PED test came back positive.
fans dont really care much about PEDs sadly. they might boo him his first game back and then let it go.
If he’s batting .200 at the end of April, they won’t be letting it go.
I agree with you for the most part,not as lenient with habitual offenders, though.
Production and performance erases everything. After booing his own fanbase, Baez was the most hated player in Queens. It lasted a few hours. After scoring the game-winning run he was immediately forgiven, and now he seems likely to resign with the Mets. Fans are fickle.
Cano might have value as a veteran and leader in the clubhouse over Lindor, maybe Baez… meh.
Cano, a leader? LOL
Why is every player who is a veteran a leader? Did you ever work with anyone who was on the job for a long time a lazy ahole.
Cano a leader? What a Joke! He won’t even run out of the batters box how in the hell is that a leader?
Dugmet are you related to BVW or in the Mets organization?
BVW’s wife?
There could be an incentive for someone making sure that Cano tests positive again.
lmao sprinkle some PEDs on his food when he’s not looking.
The PERFECT solution is to name A-Rod the GM and Cano the player-manager…
Don’t know how many games they’ll win, but the conferences will be a HIGH-lite.
It is sad that the 39 year-old “veteran leader” in the club house is the one you have to worry about using PED’s. All of the kids in the Mets locker room are thinking, “Yeah, but he got paid.”. The Mets should cut him lose and eat the 48 million. No other GM should touch him. While he isn’t entirely responsible for the turnover in the Mets front office, the trade for Cano certainly did not help Brodie Van Wagenen keep his job.
How does it make any sense in the world to cut someone loose when you’re paying him $48 million anyway? They had a ton of hitting issues last year and, though it’s been a year, he hit very well the last time he played. Play him, if he’s terrible, then you release him.
If you think the roster spot is better used on someone else, it makes perfect sense to cut him and eat the money. You gotta pay him either way so just do whatever makes the team better. Cutting him might be the answer to that.
“he hit very well the last time he played.”
Because he was on ROIDS?! Why does everyone miss the obvious!
He’s definitely not running the same based on winter ball video. Hip/leg issue that perhaps is slightly more serious issue
The bat did not look the same as in 2020 but still looked ok, even potentially above average
100 to 120 OPS+ is likely outcome based on how he looked
The way he’s running though, probably won’t be able to play average defense and station to station on the bases
If he DHs and pinch hits he could still provide decent value. No it’s not worth $24 million but that’s how veteran (bad) contracts go
Mets fans can only hope he takes Steroids again so they don’t have to pay him again .
Why would a fan care about that? It’s Cohen’s money.
Cuz the less money Cohen has to pay Cano, the more he has to pay someone else.
Keep Cano and use him as a pinch hitter/on sundays. Hes a better late game option then using Mazeika, Guillorme, or Lee (For right now atleast)
Lol
I mentioned above, he could be a modern version of Rusty.
Cano is going to struggle mightily. With the Mets roster a tangled mess, releasing Cano seems inevitable.
really doubtful they’d release him this year until very late in the year with two years of salary to pay.
Still makes no sense why he’d use. He’s got the long-term contract, his numbers, if untainted, lead him to the HOF, even with average future performance. I know the top tier users are currently being excluded, but sooner or later, there will be some type of reconciliation and those players will get in, tainted or not. But a two-time loser?
Not to give a pass at all for cheating, but the money is locked in and he’s not going to get another big contract so at least he is aiming to be valuable instead of just boosting his stock. Now he is playing winter ball to get his groove back. Once again no excuse for cheating but at least it appears that he is trying to play baseball at his highest level to earn his money.
Lol Mets suck
You would have to be a painfully “optimistic Mets fan” to be excited over the return of a 39 year old 2B who hasn’t played in a year and can’t seem to contribute without roids. If the Mets get lucky the NL will adopt the DH and Cano can serve as the primary option there
The Mets need to be relocated to Montreal and the Rays should move into CitiField. Solves two problems which I have been saying for a decade but it is more obvious today than before. LOL
What did Montreal ever do to you?
Montreal wouldn’t even know they’re there.
See if the White Sox want him. 2B and LH bat. Maybe take on Kimbrel’s contract as part of the deal?
If the White Sox viewed Kimbrell as a bad deal they could have just declined his option. I don’t really think you want your big acquisition of the winter be the guy who would be the oldest player on the roster and having him play a premium position.
Mets are stuck with that contract
You want a Chicago player the only one that’s a head for head swap is Heyward. Lol. I see Cano as a DH part time 2b depending on the other teams starter. See if he can perform. BTW Cubs sign off on that trade in a heartbeat.
So basically Cano could be Rusty Staub, version 2.0. Except Rusty was a first class act and not a cheater.
Cano can go.
Heh.
He makes sense in St.Louis. PEDs wouldn’t be an issue as they have a history of signing formally suspended PED users (Peralta), making one a franchise icon (McGwire) and harboring at least two (O’Neill/Molina) living under a cloud of suspicion.
If he can still play the field, he slots at 2B moving Edmund to a bench/super sub roll. If he can’t, they plug him at DH.
Do you dislike the Cardinals? Cano’s contract is dead weight. The Mets won’t find a taker in trade, so the Cards should sign him after he is released? Are you suggesting Cano replace Matt Carpenter? Not sure that helps the Cardinals. I’d rather free agent Jonathan Villar. Or trade for Jeff McNeil, especially if the Mets keep Cano for 2B, and especially if you want an ex-Met.
Idk maybe some PED’s will “accidentally” fall in to his food or water bottle before spring training who’s to know how it got there. Mets won’t be on the hook anymore. Frees up roster and capital space and he’s out the game and the cano problem is done with.
Yes that will probably happen
Make Cano the new general manager. Gets him off the field and fills the position. Boom, done.
I hope in the new bargaining agreement that PED penalties become harsher.
Second offence should be a full years suspension plus termination of your existing contract. Teams shouldn’t be on the hook for selfish players who cheat and get suspended for the year they should go back to free agency and have to rebuild trust
Cano could be part of a bad contract swap. Anyone have any ideas who the other player would be? Maybe Cano for Upton or something like that?
Upton has one year left as opposed to Cano’s two. The Mets are pretty much stuck with Cano if he’s toast. I don’t agree with posters here saying that they should pre-emptively release him without seeing if he’s got anything left in winter ball through Spring Training.
Sure , let him play out Spring Training. If he crushes it, he crushes it. But, if not, gotta be prepared to let him go. He’s old, doesn’t really play a position of great need.
Spring Training proves nothing; just keep him on the Roster and don’t play him for 2 years and let him rot; if he complains then tell him to opt out of his contact.
He started a game today at DH a team in the Latin part of Arizona Fall league .
So glad Trader Jerry pushed this onto someone else’s plate.
Two time loser and age 39 isn’t a high recommendation. Let him go on his merry way.
Let the players roid up baseball was fun then. Now it’s boring. Who cares their bodies.
Given how much money Cano has lost or given up due to suspensions, fines and so on and then the money he’s lost paying taxes as a New York player the last half of the contract, he really would have been better off and made about the same amount of money if he had taken the Yankees’ 7 year/$175M deal. And with how the Yankees are operating nowadays, he might have been able to get that proposed deal up to 8 years/$188M, which would be almost exactly in line with what he’s actually made from his deal with the Mariners and he probably would have had a different situation in New York and either would not have taken roids or would not have been caught.
Holy IFS, Batman!
Once a Cheater Always a Cheater!! Hated the trade when it was made and hate it now! Yes Kelenic has not shown so far the talent but end of the day you don’t trade a guy like him for Cano and his a huge contract and say well we got Diaz. That man cannot pitch in big games and folds like origami and has been nothing like himself in Seattle. Terrible trade and now I see my beloved franchise every single top notch potential of HOBO and GM’s turn down the gig every chance they get. It is alarming to the fullest as a Mets fan.
Kelenic is only 22 and did hit 14 HR’s in limited duty.
I hated the trade at the time and it makes me sick now.
I would just sit Cano for 2 years; put him as the 26 player and not let him have another at bat in his MLB career and if he complains tell him to cancel his contract.
We have to pay him but nothing says we have to play him! Keep him on the roster and let him ROT!
Agree in Diaz #thecrown24
So why not just release him?
The Cubs would trade Jason Heyward (44 million due over 2022 and 2023) for Robinson Cano (40.5 million due from Mets over 2022 and 2023, 7.5 million paid by Seattle)
Robinson Cano for Miguel Cabrera. DET get a 2B and salary relief; NYM gets a DH with some fan draw as he’s closing in on 3,000 Hits and rid of a distraction.
Another bad decision. They should eat the $48 mil. Sandy getting more senile by the day.
It’s asinine to think 2020 was anything but a glorified Spring Training!
I laugh at Dodgers fans that actually believe they won the World Series!
How did it work out in a real season?
I posted it on MLBTR before he got caught the second time that he was juicing again with the 2020 numbers and I was proven right. How can anyone even look at numbers when he was juiced?!
Shame this CHEATER is even allowed to play and make money; why after the first time did the Mets not put in a clause that if he gets caught again his contact is done?
I guess the players association CBA doesn’t allow for common sense!
If we got caught with illegal drugs we would be in jail.
Alderson is a joke we will find a MGR and GM at the bottom of the barrel.Like everybody wants to come to the Muts and NYC itself.I hear there are some good Mgrs in Guatamala
and some good GM’s in the Mexican League that will be available and cheap too.
I bet you didn’t really hear that