On Tuesday night, the Seattle Mariners were said to be listening to trade offers for second baseman Robinson Cano, and by Thursday night, they were said to be closing in on one to send him back to New York. Late Saturday night, the Mariners completed that trade, as Cano is heading back to New York, but this time to the Mets, along with closer Edwin Diaz. The trade was thought to hold off until early next week, but the two sides completed earlier than expected. Seattle gets veteran outfielder Jay Bruce, reliever Anthony Swarzak, and three prospects in return. That list of prospects includes right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn, outfielder Jarred Kelenic, and pitcher Gerson Bautista.
Cano is coming off a season that was shortened from a PED suspension, as the former Home Run Derby winner missed 80 games after testing positive. The 36-year-old was with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2013, was reportedly unhappy there, which led to his trade to Seattle in the winter of 2013. Cano waived a no-trade clause to make it happen.
He went on to sign a 10-year, $240 million contract, and he still has five years and $120 million left on it, which now belongs to the Mets. Luckily for them, the Mariners are also sending $20 million to the Mets in the deal. The trade is still pending physical exams, but no changes are expected, which makes this trade seemingly official.
In a shortened season last year, Cano hit .303 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs in 80 games played. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old closer, Diaz, joins him with the Mets, coming off a 57 save-season, which led the majors. Diaz features a 100mph fastball and recorded a 1.97 ERA last year, as his saves total trails just Francisco Rodriguez's 62 saves in 2008 for most all time. He sits tied for second in that category with Bobby Thigpen from 1990.
Despite those big numbers, Diaz made just $571,000 in 2018 and will not be eligible for free agency until 2022. He will be eligible for arbitration in 2020. The Mariners have already lost a player in their pitching staff when they sent James Paxton to the New York Yankees, and now they are down a closer. They are coming off an 89-73 season, which was not good enough for a Postseason appearance, and they seem to be embracing the youth within the organization.
Cano is coming off a season that was shortened from a PED suspension, as the former Home Run Derby winner missed 80 games after testing positive. The 36-year-old was with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2013, was reportedly unhappy there, which led to his trade to Seattle in the winter of 2013. Cano waived a no-trade clause to make it happen.
He went on to sign a 10-year, $240 million contract, and he still has five years and $120 million left on it, which now belongs to the Mets. Luckily for them, the Mariners are also sending $20 million to the Mets in the deal. The trade is still pending physical exams, but no changes are expected, which makes this trade seemingly official.
In a shortened season last year, Cano hit .303 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs in 80 games played. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old closer, Diaz, joins him with the Mets, coming off a 57 save-season, which led the majors. Diaz features a 100mph fastball and recorded a 1.97 ERA last year, as his saves total trails just Francisco Rodriguez's 62 saves in 2008 for most all time. He sits tied for second in that category with Bobby Thigpen from 1990.
Despite those big numbers, Diaz made just $571,000 in 2018 and will not be eligible for free agency until 2022. He will be eligible for arbitration in 2020. The Mariners have already lost a player in their pitching staff when they sent James Paxton to the New York Yankees, and now they are down a closer. They are coming off an 89-73 season, which was not good enough for a Postseason appearance, and they seem to be embracing the youth within the organization.
