Biographical

Portrait of Robinson Canó

Robinson Canó 2BMets

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 36)
PA AVG HR R RBI SB DRC+ WARP
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Birth Date10-22-1982
Height6' 0"
Weight212 lbs
Age41 years, 5 months, 6 days
BatsL
ThrowsR
2.92015
5.22016
1.72017
1.82018
3.32019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2005 NYA 22 132 551 155 34 4 14 16 68 3 1 3 .297 .320 .458 96 -2.4 0.6 6.9 2.1
2006 NYA 23 122 508 165 41 1 15 18 54 2 5 2 .342 .365 .525 115 12.1 -2.1 5.0 2.9
2007 NYA 24 160 669 189 41 7 19 39 85 8 4 5 .306 .353 .488 107 8.7 -1.6 6.9 3.2
2008 NYA 25 159 634 162 35 3 14 26 65 5 2 4 .271 .305 .410 89 -7.0 -0.8 7.5 1.7
2009 NYA 26 161 674 204 48 2 25 30 63 3 5 7 .320 .352 .520 122 20.3 0.9 3.5 4.4
2010 NYA 27 160 696 200 41 3 29 57 77 8 3 2 .319 .381 .534 137 30.8 0.1 -2.5 4.9
2011 NYA 28 159 681 188 46 7 28 38 96 12 8 2 .302 .349 .533 127 21.6 2.8 4.6 4.9
2012 NYA 29 161 697 196 48 1 33 61 96 7 3 2 .313 .379 .550 139 31.3 -1.6 8.2 5.9
2013 NYA 30 160 681 190 41 0 27 65 85 6 7 1 .314 .383 .516 144 34.5 -0.9 -0.7 5.4
2014 SEA 31 157 665 187 37 2 14 61 68 6 10 3 .314 .382 .454 130 22.1 2.8 2.8 4.8
2015 SEA 32 156 674 179 34 1 21 43 107 3 2 6 .287 .334 .446 115 14.4 -2.6 -1.7 2.9
2016 SEA 33 161 715 195 33 2 39 47 100 8 0 1 .298 .350 .533 133 29.4 -1.7 4.2 5.2
2017 SEA 34 150 648 166 33 0 23 49 85 4 1 0 .280 .338 .453 108 8.5 -2.0 -7.3 1.7
2018 SEA 35 80 348 94 22 0 10 32 47 4 0 0 .303 .374 .471 125 11.4 -0.4 -2.2 1.8
2019 NYN 36 107 423 100 28 0 13 25 69 5 0 0 .256 .307 .428 89 -4.1 -0.7 -7.4 0.0
Career218592642570562333246071165845138.302.352.490120231.7-7.227.751.7

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2001 STA A- NYP 2 8 .000 .000 .000 .333 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2002 GRB A SAL 113 507 .000 .000 .000 .306 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2002 STA A- NYP 22 92 .000 .000 .000 .291 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2003 TAM A+ FSL 90 390 .000 .000 .000 .308 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2003 TRN AA EAS 46 181 .000 .000 .000 .302 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2004 TRN AA EAS 74 323 .000 .000 .000 .331 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2004 COH AAA INT 61 240 .000 .000 .000 .269 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 NYA MLB AL 132 551 .261 .326 .415 .318 102 3.8 15.8 -0.7 96 8 6.9 0.6 -2.4 2.1
2005 COH AAA INT 24 114 .283 .342 .453 .352 106 1.1 1.8 -0.1 121 0 -0.1 0.5 3.0 0.5
2006 NYA MLB AL 122 508 .274 .340 .438 .359 106 14.1 15.3 -1 115 12 5.0 -2.1 12.1 2.9
2006 TRN AA EAS 3 13 .000 .000 .000 .556 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2006 YAN Rk GCL 1 5 .282 .372 .399 .400 111 0.1 0.2 -0.1 123 0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0
2007 NYA MLB AL 160 669 .267 .333 .417 .329 102 16.8 19.9 -0.9 107 8 6.9 -1.6 8.7 3.2
2008 NYA MLB AL 159 634 .261 .329 .411 .283 103 -13.1 18.3 -0.8 89 10 7.5 -0.8 -7.0 1.7
2009 NYA MLB AL 161 674 .269 .335 .434 .324 110 14.2 19.4 -0.9 122 11 3.5 0.9 20.3 4.4
2010 NYA MLB AL 160 696 .259 .325 .410 .326 114 27.4 19.2 -1 137 11 -2.5 0.1 30.8 4.9
2011 NYA MLB AL 159 681 .257 .322 .408 .316 106 30.8 18.4 -1.3 127 7 4.6 2.8 21.6 4.9
2012 NYA MLB AL 161 697 .249 .315 .396 .326 102 41.2 19.1 -1.5 139 10 8.2 -1.6 31.3 5.9
2013 NYA MLB AL 160 681 .253 .315 .397 .327 101 40.4 17.9 -1.2 144 6 -0.7 -0.9 34.5 5.4
2013 DOM int WBC 6 27 .000 .000 .000 .667 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2014 SEA MLB AL 157 665 .253 .312 .387 .335 90 37.8 17.1 -1.3 130 9 2.8 2.8 22.1 4.8
2015 SEA MLB AL 156 674 .254 .315 .408 .316 100 14.8 18.2 -1.2 115 7 -1.7 -2.6 14.4 2.9
2016 SEA MLB AL 161 715 .259 .321 .421 .299 102 28.6 20.2 -1.3 133 9 4.2 -1.7 29.4 5.2
2016 EST Wnt DWL 1 4 .000 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2017 SEA MLB AL 150 648 .254 .322 .424 .294 102 6.5 19.0 -0.9 108 8 -7.3 -2.0 8.5 1.7
2018 SEA MLB AL 80 348 .248 .317 .413 .329 97 15.2 9.8 -1.3 125 11 -2.2 -0.4 11.4 1.8
2018 EVE A- NWL 3 12 .257 .334 .417 .333 117 2.4 0.3 -0.1 203 0 0.2 -0.2 1.1 0.1
2018 TAC AAA PCL 2 8 .259 .336 .390 .286 94 0 0.2 -0.2 112 0 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0
2019 NYN MLB NL 107 423 .253 .324 .435 .280 97 -3.8 12.7 -0.7 89 10 -7.4 -0.7 -4.1 0.0
2019 BRO A- NYP 2 7 .256 .327 .401 .333 87 0.2 0.2 -0.1 94 0 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0
2019 SYR AAA INT 3 11 .271 .328 .496 .571 95 1.2 0.4 0 130 0 0.4 -0.6 0.5 0.1

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2001 STA A- NYP 8 8 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 .250 .250 .250 .000 0 0
2002 STA A- NYP 92 87 11 24 5 1 1 34 15 4 8 6 1 .276 .304 .391 .115 1 1
2002 GRB A SAL 507 474 67 131 20 9 14 211 66 29 78 2 1 .276 .322 .445 .169 0 0
2003 TRN AA EAS 181 164 21 46 9 1 1 60 13 9 16 0 0 .280 .337 .366 .085 2 2
2003 TAM A+ FSL 390 366 50 101 16 3 5 138 50 17 49 1 1 .276 .315 .377 .101 0 0
2004 COH AAA INT 240 216 22 56 9 2 6 87 30 18 27 0 1 .259 .315 .403 .144 3 3
2004 TRN AA EAS 323 292 43 88 20 8 7 145 44 24 40 2 4 .301 .361 .497 .195 0 0
2005 COH AAA INT 114 108 19 36 8 3 4 62 24 6 13 0 0 .333 .368 .574 .241 0 0
2005 NYA MLB AL 551 522 78 155 34 4 14 239 62 16 68 1 3 .297 .320 .458 .161 3 7
2006 TRN AA EAS 13 10 1 5 2 0 0 7 2 3 1 0 0 .500 .615 .700 .200 0 0
2006 YAN Rk GCL 5 5 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 .400 .400 .400 .000 0 0
2006 NYA MLB AL 508 482 62 165 41 1 15 253 78 18 54 5 2 .342 .365 .525 .183 5 1
2007 NYA MLB AL 669 617 93 189 41 7 19 301 97 39 85 4 5 .306 .353 .488 .182 4 1
2008 NYA MLB AL 634 597 70 162 35 3 14 245 72 26 65 2 4 .271 .305 .410 .139 5 1
2009 NYA MLB AL 674 637 103 204 48 2 25 331 85 30 63 5 7 .320 .352 .520 .199 4 0
2010 NYA MLB AL 696 626 103 200 41 3 29 334 109 57 77 3 2 .319 .381 .534 .214 5 0
2011 NYA MLB AL 681 623 104 188 46 7 28 332 118 38 96 8 2 .302 .349 .533 .231 8 0
2012 NYA MLB AL 697 627 105 196 48 1 33 345 94 61 96 3 2 .313 .379 .550 .238 2 0
2013 NYA MLB AL 681 605 81 190 41 0 27 312 107 65 85 7 1 .314 .383 .516 .202 5 0
2013 DOM int WBC 27 27 5 14 4 0 2 24 6 0 7 0 0 .519 .519 .889 .370 0 0
2014 SEA MLB AL 665 595 77 187 37 2 14 270 82 61 68 10 3 .314 .382 .454 .139 3
2015 SEA MLB AL 674 624 82 179 34 1 21 278 79 43 107 2 6 .287 .334 .446 .159 4 0
2016 EST Wnt DWL 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0
2016 SEA MLB AL 715 655 107 195 33 2 39 349 103 47 100 0 1 .298 .350 .533 .235 5 0
2017 SEA MLB AL 648 592 79 166 33 0 23 268 97 49 85 1 0 .280 .338 .453 .172 3 0
2018 TAC AAA PCL 8 7 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 .286 .375 .286 .000 0 0
2018 EVE A- NWL 12 11 3 5 1 0 2 12 6 1 0 0 0 .455 .500 1.091 .636 0 0
2018 SEA MLB AL 348 310 44 94 22 0 10 146 50 32 47 0 0 .303 .374 .471 .168 2 0
2019 SYR AAA INT 11 10 2 4 3 0 0 7 1 1 3 0 0 .400 .455 .700 .300 0 0
2019 BRO A- NYP 7 7 1 2 1 0 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 .286 .286 .429 .143 0 0
2019 NYN MLB NL 423 390 46 100 28 0 13 167 39 25 69 0 0 .256 .307 .428 .172 3 0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2008 2072 0.5000 0.5203 0.8803 0.6583 0.3822 0.9355 0.7854 0.1197 0.0014
2009 2252 0.4982 0.5138 0.8980 0.6791 0.3496 0.9396 0.8177 0.1020 -0.0065
2010 2356 0.4851 0.5178 0.8549 0.6973 0.3487 0.9159 0.7400 0.1451 -0.0141
2011 2295 0.4619 0.5455 0.8490 0.7358 0.3822 0.9333 0.7097 0.1510 0.0003
2012 2427 0.4590 0.4957 0.8105 0.6885 0.3321 0.8801 0.6881 0.1895 -0.0071
2013 2420 0.4810 0.4921 0.8497 0.6538 0.3424 0.9304 0.7070 0.1503 -0.0074
2014 2228 0.4493 0.4946 0.8603 0.6513 0.3667 0.9448 0.7378 0.1397 -0.0079
2015 2420 0.4702 0.5004 0.8101 0.6749 0.3456 0.9010 0.6524 0.1899 -0.0055
2016 2510 0.4590 0.5143 0.8273 0.6589 0.3918 0.9130 0.7049 0.1727 0.0000
2017 2297 0.4571 0.5207 0.8236 0.6981 0.3713 0.9168 0.6760 0.1764 0.0000
2018 1253 0.4565 0.4773 0.8177 0.6451 0.3363 0.9024 0.6812 0.1823 0.0000
2019 1471 0.4602 0.5323 0.8033 0.7090 0.3816 0.8917 0.6634 0.1967 0.0000
Career260010.47030.51080.84170.67960.36090.91790.71520.1583-0.0042

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-08-25 2014-08-25 DTD 0 0 - General Medical Dizziness -
2014-08-16 2014-08-16 DTD 0 0 Right Foot Contusion Foul Ball -
2014-07-20 2014-07-21 DTD 1 1 - Thigh Tightness Hamstring -
2014-05-29 2014-06-02 DTD 4 4 Right Hand Contusion -
2014-03-06 2014-03-10 Camp 4 0 - General Medical Other Root Canal - -
2013-08-28 2013-08-30 DTD 2 1 Left Hand Contusion HBP - -
2013-07-17 2013-07-19 DTD 2 0 Right Thigh Contusion Quadriceps - -
2013-05-08 2013-05-08 DTD 0 0 - Foot Contusion Foul Ball - -
2012-09-29 2012-09-29 DTD 0 0 Left Hand Contusion HBP - -
2012-09-04 2012-09-04 DTD 0 0 Left Hip Soreness - -
2012-08-15 2012-08-16 DTD 1 1 - Neck Stiffness - -
2012-03-19 2012-03-20 Camp 1 0 Left Hand Contusion HBP - -
2011-05-11 2011-05-11 DTD 0 0 - Head Contusion HBP -
2011-05-02 2011-05-03 DTD 1 1 Left Fingers Contusion Knuckle Ring Finger -
2010-08-10 2010-08-10 DTD 0 0 - General Medical Illness -
2010-05-08 2010-05-08 DTD 0 0 Left Knee Contusion HBP -
2009-06-25 2009-06-26 DTD 1 1 Left Wrist Soreness -
2009-03-10 2009-03-14 Camp 4 0 Right Shoulder Inflammation Bursitis -
2007-09-24 2007-09-24 DTD 0 0 - Ankle Sprain Ran Into Tarp -
2006-06-26 2006-08-08 15-DL 43 35 Left Thigh Strain Hamstring -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2023 SEA $3,750,000
2023 NYN $20,250,000
2022 SEA $3,750,000
2022 NYN $20,250,000
2021 SEA $3,750,000
2021 NYN $20,250,000
2020 SEA $3,750,000
2020 NYN $20,250,000
2019 SEA $5,000,000
2019 NYN $19,000,000
2018 SEA $24,000,000
2017 SEA $24,000,000
2016 SEA $24,000,000
2015 SEA $24,000,000
2014 SEA $24,000,000
2013 NYA $15,000,000
2012 NYA $14,000,000
2011 NYA $10,000,000
2010 NYA $9,000,000
2009 NYA $6,000,000
2008 NYA $3,000,000
2007 NYA $490,800
2006 NYA $381,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
18 yrPrevious$297,871,800
18 yrTotal$297,871,800

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
15 y 76 dRoc Nation / CAA10 years/$240M (2014-23)

Details
  • 10 years/$240M (2014-23). Signed by Seattle as a free agent 12/12/13. 14-23: $24M annually. Award bonuses, including $50,000 for All-Star selection. Full no-trade protection. Suspended 80 games, placed on restricted list 5/15/18 (violation of MLB's Joint Drug Agreement). Will miss 91 calendar days, forfeiting $11,741,935 in salary. Reinstated from restricted list 8/14/18. Acquired by NY Mets in trade from Seattle 12/3/18, with Mariners paying Mets $20M as part of the deal ($5M in Dec. 2018 and $3.75M each Dec. 1, 2019-22). DFA by NY Mets 5/2/22 with $44,703,297 remaining on contract. Released by NY Mets 5/8/22. Signed by San Diego as a free agent 5/13/22. Padres pay pro-rated portion of minimum salary, $561,538, with Mets responsible for $23,438,462, less $3,750,000 from Mariners in previous trade. Sent outright to Triple-A by San Diego 6/2/22. Cano refused assignment, elected free agency. Re-signed by San Diego as a free agent 6/10/22. Acquired by Atlanta in trade from San Diego 7/10/22. Braves pay pro-rated portion of minimum salary, $334,615. DFA by Atlanta 8/1/22. Sent outright to Triple-A 8/4/22 (elected free agency).
  • 4 years/$30M (2008-11), plus 2012-13 club options. Re-signed by NY Yankees 2/08 (avoided arbitration, $4.55M-$3.2M). 08:$3M, 09:$6M, 10:$9M, 11:$10M, 12:$14M club option, $2M buyout, 13:$15M club option, $2M buyout. NY Yankees exercised $14M 2012 club option 10/29/11. NY Yankees exercised $15M 2013 option 10/29/12.
  • 1 year/$490,8000 (2007). Re-signed by NY Yankees 3/07 (split contract $228,600 in minors).
  • 1 year/$381,000 (2006). Re-signed by NY Yankees 3/06.
  • 1 year (2005). Contract purchased by NY Yankees 11/04. Recalled 5/05.
  • Signed by NY Yankees 2001 as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
90o 42 11 2 0 1 4 6 0 0 .289 .357 .421 132 3.6 2B 0 0.0
80o 28 8 2 0 1 3 4 0 0 .320 .393 .520 127 2.1 2B 0 0.0
70o 18 5 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 .294 .368 .529 123 1.3 2B 0 0.0
60o 10 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 .333 .400 .444 120 0.6 2B 0 0.0
50o 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 117 0.1 2B 0 0.0
Weighted Mean300000000.000.000.0001170.22B 00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Robinson Canó

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2019-06-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Robinson Cano finished?
(John from Hollywood)
I think he's got a bounce back in there somewhere but not a long-term one (Craig Goldstein)
2019-04-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Just turned down Robinson Cano for Zac Gallen in a deep dynasty league based off your words. I feel great about it. Thoughts?
(Bailey from MD)
I...don't feel great? It depends a bit on your contention cycle, and Cano's current injury situation might help me feel better in the near term, but I'm not exactly gaga over Gallen yet (Craig Goldstein)
2018-12-10 16:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Brandon. How do you envision Jeff McNeil's playing time being affected by the Robinson Cano trade? Before the trade, some projections had him getting 550 plate appearances. That has to take a hit, right? Is it a significant hit? Thanks for the insight.
(TC from Cincinnati)
I don't think so - I believe the Mets will find him time one way or another, as long as his production last season doesn't turn out to be a total mirage. Maybe it won't get to 550, but I think he can play multiple spots and still find his way into 450-plus. (Darius Austin)
2018-12-06 20:00:00 (link to chat)With all the excitement going on concerning the New York Mets and the Robinson Cano trade, I was curious if you could take a moment to talk about one of the Mets most exciting prospects who unfortunately was unable to be called up at the end of the last season. That prospect, of course, is 31 year old Tim Tebow. New GM Brodie Van Wagenen says that he is "one step away from making the big leagues. How exactly large is that step and could you possibly take a moment to chat about this exciting talent in the Mets system and on a scale of 3-16 rate just how likely it is that the Wilpons will call Tebow up in September when the Mets are like 20 games out?
(Andrew Argent-Soixanteneuf from New Jersey)
He's, like, a Tebow jump pass away.

Listen, he's going to be one of the starting outfielders at Syracuse, and the outfield depth in this system is five steps beyond atrocious. I think he gets called up for need before September. So a 14. (Jarrett Seidler)
2018-11-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)It seems to me that adding Kelenic to a deal for Cano is too much of a price to pay to allow the Mets to shed salary and obtain Edwin Jackson. This is especially true if the Mariners are desperate to unload Cano. If Seattle is insisting on a high ceiling/low minors prospect to dream on, wouldn't someone like Ronny Mauricio make more sense given the Mets' infield prospect depth in the low minors?
(wileecoyote121 from Mamaroneck, NY)
So I think an understated part of this deal is the Mets also really wanted Robinson Cano. Obviously there is leverage with the no-trade but I'm guessing the M's could have walked away at any point and gone to another team and gotten a significantly better return just for Diaz. I don't know how desperate the Mariners actually were. The Mets sure wanted to keep leaking that they were desperate, but how much so, well they run a much tighter ship. Also from the Mariners POV you can't really sell a trade like this without getting one headline prospect piece back. The optics matter. Ultimately I think the Mets just didn't want to walk away from the deal and that included getting Cano for them. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2018-02-13 20:00:00 (link to chat)Robinson Cano remains in the top 15 among second basemen for the next ____ seasons.
(Carlo from Seattle)
Two? Three? He was fifth last year so it's not as difficult as it sounds but he's well past 30 and the end eventually comes for us all. (Mike Gianella)
2017-05-15 17:00:00 (link to chat)Do Flags truly Fly Forever? In the middle of the 2011 season, I traded a 2012 1st round pick and Mike Trout for Robinson Cano. I won my first ever league championship in 2011, and another in 2013. Yet years later, I still feel guilty for having traded away the best player since Barry Bonds. Am I silly to talk about this with my therapist, or should I just suck it up and be happy with what I got out of the deal?
(Paul from DC)
It sounds to me like you did OK. I'd only feel bad about that deal if I hadn't won the league. And you won multiple times! Therapy is for when you make a deal like that and lose the league by half a point because Brandon Kintzler got a save on the last day of the regular season. (Mike Gianella)
2017-04-05 23:00:00 (link to chat)What's the difference between bat speed and power?
(Andrew from DC)
I like this question a lot, and a proper answer really could/should be left for a longer column at some point. Cliff's Notes on-the-fly version: bat speed is about the efficiency and force-creation of one's swing as much as one's physical strength, while power - at least in its raw form - is about how hard/far you can hit a ball. Power to me implies something about the swing plane: you need to have some plane and lift in a swing in order to generate power. You can have power without great bat speed by virtue of being built like a Jeep, though it's the profile of a million and six Quad-A sluggers. Bat speed, on the other hand, you can create regardless of the loft in your swing or the size of your biceps; there's no qualifier for resulting launch angle, in other words. There are plenty of hitters who generate outstanding bat speed but aren't quintessentially powerful hitters because their bat paths are flatter. Christian Yelich comes to mind (though that might be changing). When you put bat speed and power together? Then you get Robinson Cano or Miguel Cabrera or some other freakshow like that. (Wilson Karaman)
2016-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Has this season changed your outlook at all on how long Robinson Cano can last at second base?
(DoubleMartinez from Tacoma)
More faith that he lasts through most of the decade, certainly. (Brendan Gawlowski)
2016-07-19 14:00:00 (link to chat)Yoan Moncada are you bullish? Wondering what I can expect if acquiring in a fantasy league for the next 3-4 years. Will he hit higher than .220? 15 HR/30SB? Or is there more there?
(D from Fresno)
I'd be really surprised if he only hit .220. That swing is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that he's the next Robinson Cano (prospects will break your heart and all that), but he's really good. (Nicolas Stellini)
2015-12-01 14:00:00 (link to chat)What do you think of the future short and long term of Robinson Cano? He tore it up the 2nd half of last year and just went through a sports hernia operation. Some say a move to first although he looked OK at second last year to me.What now?
(caseyj15 from Medford, OR)
I think Robinson Cano is still one of the best offensive players in baseball, and a fine second baseman. Someday he'll need to move over to first or DH, but not now. I love him. And I'm biased. (Christopher Crawford)
2015-09-30 19:00:00 (link to chat)Looking ahead to next season, who has the better year at second: Robinson Cano or Roughned Odor?
(John from CT)
Didn't think this would be a question after Odor's struggles early in his year but man, I'm willing to bet on Odor over Cano for next year. (Mauricio Rubio)
2015-07-23 17:00:00 (link to chat)Who do you sell high on (FBB): Robinson Cano's recent hot streak or Joe Panik's season?
(Rob from Chicago)
Panik. Cano's bounce back and decreased GB rate looks legit. (Mike Gianella)
2015-05-05 15:00:00 (link to chat)Evan Longoria or Kris Bryant ROS?
(Shawn from Cubicle)
Longoria only has one home run and six RBI? Who does he think he is, Robinson Cano? I'll go Bryant, who should pick it up with the home runs himself. (Nick Shlain)
2014-09-15 19:30:00 (link to chat)With most of the 2014 MLB season now in the books, how good or bad does my pre-season trade in a keeper league of Robinson Cano for Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick, and Javier Baez now appear?
(Paul from DC)
Depends entirely on how many players you keep. If your league keeps 50, give me Cano. If it keeps 100, give me Pujols and Baez. (Ben Carsley)
2014-09-17 14:00:00 (link to chat)How often does familiarity play into deciding where a player goes? Will they stay where they're at even if it means say 10-20% less money?
(Dave from Pittsburgh)
For some players it's everything, look at Cliff Lee. For some players it means nothing, look at Robinson Cano. For me? Get what you can while you can. These players only get a limited window to have a career. And even though it is a huge sum of money, when it's gone it's gone. Now I'm not saying if team x is offering 100 million and team y is offering 105 million to uproot your family to take the money and run but if the team you're on is offering 35 million and team x is offering 50 million dollars to move your family in my estimation you take it. It's 15 million dollars there is almost no way to make that up in tax breaks or endorsements. I could go on and on discussing this topic but the short answer is it depends on the player and situation. (Joshua Kusnick)
2014-05-07 17:00:00 (link to chat)Would you sell me high in an OPB league or will i keep enough value moving forward?
(Brian Dozier from Min)
I got dinged on Twitter for saying I wouldn't trade Brian Dozier for Robinson Cano. So you might say I'm high on Dozier. It's not that I necessarily believe Cano will be worse than Dozier but that I could see the two being comparable ROS. Dozier's numbers over the last calendar year: 26/93/70/23/.242/.324. He'll hurt you in OBP but he does enough every where else that he's legit, and will be one of the better 2B in the bigs. (Mike Gianella)
2014-05-07 17:00:00 (link to chat)Who are some of your favorite buy low candidates to target that some owners might be ready to overreact to their slow starts on? Thanks Mike
(DanDaMan from Sea Cliff)
Based on some of the questions I'm getting here, Adam Jones. Edwin Encarnacion if it's not too late. Robinson Cano if people are afraid that the power won't come back at all (though I do think he'll have a down year). (Mike Gianella)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)I traded Bryce Harper for Robinson Cano and Justin Upton in a dynasty league. I had a need at 2B, so this deal was a slam dunk right? Or at least until Harper hits 50 bombs
(CharlieWerner from Manayunk PA)
Probably a slam drunk for the next two or three years and the cause of much internal turmoil on your part from 2017 on. But that's fine. (Ben Carsley)
2014-01-21 18:00:00 (link to chat)16 team dynasty league, our batting cats are runs, homers, RBI, walks, K's, steals, average, and OPS, and Pitching cats are K's, QS, wins, saves, holds, era, whip, and k/bb. I got two offers for my 1-1 pick which would be tanaka. Edwin Encarnacion and the 9th pick in the draft or my 1-1 and Michael Pineda for Cano and a reliever or something. Which is the better offer?
(Connor from Alaska)
The first offer (Encarnacion and the pick) is better. EE is pretty close to the top first basemen in the majors while that nine pick should be pretty sweet, even in a keeper. Robinson Cano is obviously really good but I feel like you're getting a 2 for 1 with the first deal and a 1-for-1 with the second one. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat)In a keeper league I traded Robinson Cano for Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick, and the rights to Javier Baez. Crazy smart or crazy stupid?
(Paul from DC)
Hi Paul:

I like that trade for you a little bit, although a lot depends on what your needs are, whether or not you're on a competitive footing for 2014, and how deep your league is. In a really deep league, that's a great trade for you; in a shallower league it's close. I like Baez a lot so I think that if Pujols can put up "only" a 25 HR/90 RBI year that you still did the right thing here. I think Cano will be fine in Seattle, but that's still a good deal of value you're getting in return. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat)Does Cano's fantasy value drop at all playing in Safeco? Or does positional scarcity make this irrelevant?
(Alex from Anaheim)
Hi Alex:

Robinson Cano's value drops a little bit moving from Yankee Stadium to Safeco. The HR overlay between the two parks shows that Cano only loses one HR, but I do think that over the course of 81 games that park effects will take more like 3-5 HR away from him over the course of a full season. I think the larger impact will come with the weaker line-up and the move from the AL East to the AL West. Cano will play in Seattle and also have road games in Anaheim and Oakland and will be in pitchers' parks much more than he was in the AL East. That will impact him. He also will score fewer runs and drive in less in a weaker line-up. This drop shouldn't be overstated, though. You are probably talking about dropping him 4-5 slots at most in a draft format and $2-4 in an auction format. He is still an elite second baseman and should be treated as such until his performance shows otherwise. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)I'm going to miss "Finian's Rainbow."
(C. Granderson from Queens)
It's amazing how many Yankees I associate with their John Sterling HR calls. Robinson Cano will be missed especially. Frightened for what the McCann one will be. (Zachary Levine)
2013-11-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Sam Thanks for the chat always enjoy your truth and a Analysis. Real quick if u were starting a fantasy baseball team who would be top 5-10 guys u would build around??
(Mike from Ri)
1. Mike Trout
2. Bryce Harper
3. Andrew McCutchen
4. Miguel Cabrera
5. Robinson Cano

But those are boring answers. If you want to know which players I might target at some point in a draft or auction, I seem to like Harper, Choo, Yan Gomes, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager a bit more than the average person.

This chat is off to a slow start! (Sam Miller)
2013-11-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Can the Yankees really not sign Robinson Cano?
(Mark from Bronx)
Sure they can. Lots of salary coming off the books. And they're the Yankees. Makes sense for them to explore other options, though, if only for negotiating purposes. (Ben Lindbergh)
2013-10-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)What kind of player could Alexander Guerrero be? What's his ceiling? Thanks!
(Brett from Kansas City)
Not sure, and not sure that anyone knows. For anyone who doesn't know, Guerrero is the Cuban player the Dodgers just signed to a four-year deal to play second base. He's played in Cuba, he's played well there, he's not that tall and he's kinda stocky. How will that translate to MLB? I don't know, and the Dodgers don't either. Obviously they think he can play the position defensively or they wouldn't have given him $28 million.

More significant, at least for this off-season, is what this means for Robinson Cano who has seemed like he'd be willing to sign with another team if the money was there. The Dodgers may have been the best chance for the money to be there. Maybe the Dodgers will still give Cano a go though, after all they have four high priced outfielders, so what's two high priced second basemen? More likely though, Cano is going to have to find his $300 million elsewhere, which maybe means New York. (Matthew Kory)
2013-10-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Read recent reports that put a gerthy grade 8 on Robinson Cano's actual #rig. Power described as violent and thunderous. A rival AL scout recommended a bottle of wine and doughnut pillow to any receipient of Robbie's vicious hacks. Hit tool was given a 8 due to his pure, silky stroke. Speed was given a 6 but played-up in game action due to Cano's unrivaled cunning; said he "really turns it on when it counts." How will this affect his contract negotiations this off-season?
(Ryan from Buffalo Grove)
I don't know, but I like the cut of your jib. (Jason Parks)
2013-08-05 14:00:00 (link to chat)Rumored names that weren't suspended. Were we talking about All-star level players or more replacement level players?
(Slough from Seattle)
I'm not going there. There were names talked of, notably Gio Gonzalez and at one point Robinson Cano, but those were unfounded. (Maury Brown About Biogenesis and Business)
2013-03-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)I heard a rumor about a 50-game PED suspension coming for Robinson Cano. Have you heard anything similar?
(Michael from Brooklyn)
Seen the same stuff you have; I don't have anything substantiate or discount it, though. (Paul Sporer)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)I offered Starlin Castro, Ian Kennedy, Glen Perkins and Gary Brown for Adam Jones, Billy Hamilton, and Michael Pineda in 20-team dynasty. The leagues uses LF/CF/RF over OF, and has deep pitching requirements. The manager I proposed this to has McCutchen in CF, Jones is his DH. He has nobody at SS currently (my backup is Segura). He proposes back Robinson Cano, Starlin Castro, and Ian Kennedy for Adam Jones, Neil Walker, Jason Vargas, and Michael Pineda. I'm not off my game when I say this guy is one suit short of a full deck, am I?
(Louis from Glendale)
I'd trade one of my kids before I traded away Billy Hamilton in a league. For him to take Hamilton out of the deal and ask you to throw in Cano is rather entertaining. Who does he think you are, Jeff Loria? (Jason Collette)
2013-02-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Quick estimate. Robinson Cano new contract could be? 7/120?
(Schackmj from Hoboken)
Pft, that's nuts. 8/200 at least. (Sam Miller)
2013-02-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)I'm drinking the Cub Kool-Aid and trusting Theo/Jed to get in done in building the farm system. However, what potential free agent splashes do you potentially seeing the Cubs make next offseason to speed up the major league team on-field success as well?
(Mike from Cubdom)
I'm a believer in the Theo/Jed biumvirate (like a triumvirate but less) as well, but I'm not sure I can predict who will hit the free agent market next off-season. The thing I can say is that the Cubs will need pitching and outfielders. I guess, to answer your question though, I would love to see them make a real run at Robinson Cano. If the Yankees let him reach free agency I think they'll be surprised by how much money he'd command and I think if the Cubs can show some adequacy on the field this year they might be in on him. (Matthew Kory)
2013-01-14 14:00:00 (link to chat)With the reality that Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano are Free Agents in the next calendar year, why don't the Yankees considering dealing Grandy and/or prospects for Justin Upton? They may be afraid of the 189 MIL tax threshold, but its very questionable that they don't have any interest or inclination of acquiring Justin Upton to fill Swisher's role.
(jlarsen from chicago)
I'm sure the Yankees have some interest in acquiring Upton. I don't think Arizona would be that interested in Granderson in an Upton package, though, and I'm not sure the Yankees have the prospects. Maybe Gardner plus all their prospects. And yeah, Upton actually makes money beyond 2013, which makes Hal Steinbrenner scared. (Ben Lindbergh)
2012-12-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)Are the Yankees looking for stopgaps or real solutions in the infield? The commitment to avoiding the luxury tax is going to force them into some compromises, so what corners are going to be cut?
(Cris E from St Paul, MN)
Thanks for the question, Cris E. Based on Cashman's comments yesterday, his current targets are stopgaps, because he's hopeful that Alex Rodriguez will be able to return to third base when he's healthy. The other considerations are, as you mentioned, the luxury-tax cap of $189 million, and the looming extension talks with Robinson Cano. For those reasons, as well as the nature of the job with the Yankees, where the player they sign could start as the full-time 3B and then be asked to transition into a utility role, I think you're much more likely to see someone inked to a one-year deal. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-10-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Am I the only one who can see a resemblance between the swings of Ken Griffey Jr and Robinson Cano?
(JAC34 from Charlotte)
I've never thought about it, but a pretty swing is a pretty swing, and those are both pretty swings. (Jason Parks)
2012-07-09 14:00:00 (link to chat)Who is going to win the derby?
(Yes We Cain from SF)
I've never had much luck predicting this. My gut tells me Robinson Cano goes back-to-back, but if every instinct I've had is wrong, then the opposite must be right. Cano is a left-handed hitting AL infielder, so it's going to be a right-handed hitting NL outfielder. The pick: Andrew McCutchen. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-06-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Robinson Cano firmly on a HOF track, or does he have to exceed expectations (longer peak, longer career, etc.) to get there?
(edwardarthur from Illinois)
I wouldn't say he's firmly on a Hall of Fame track, but he's got a reasonable chance. He'll end his age-29 season with over 1,400 hits, 170-180 homers, a healthy batting line (.308/.349/.501 now), 4 All-Star appearances, and so on. If he just stays healthy and productive on a winning team, he'll be in pretty good shape.

That said he doesn't look as strong from a JAWS standpoint; his 29.7 WARP is less than half the average HOF second baseman (64.7), and he's only got four seasons above 4.0 WARP. Even if you project the average of those four seasons across seven years, that's a peak score of 34.0, well short of the Hall average of 43.2; even seven years at his absolute peak WARP of 5.5 would fall short at 38.5. He's going to have to put together a monster year or two to improve his standing in that regard. (Jay Jaffe)
2012-06-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)HR Derby team captains are Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp. Cano has already said he's inviting Granderson.
(Chris from work)
Really? How did they decide that? And do they know that Kemp has only played in two games since May 13?

Granderson deserves to be on the team, but so do Adam Dunn, Josh Hamilton, Bautista, Encarnacion, Trumbo, etc. My guess is it's Cano, Granderson, Dunn, and Butler, unless one of those two decline the invitation. I'd say that'd be a pretty entertaining derby. (Larry Granillo)
2012-04-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think the Yankees' self-imposed budgetary austerity, by their own standards, survives the trading deadline?
(Blake from SF)
The austerity has to do with getting to $189 million for 2014 - they're not going to do much in the way of long-term deals besides extending Robinson Cano and perhaps Curtis Granderson before then. They have plenty of resources to take on big salaries for the remainder of the season if needs arise, though it's tough to envision exactly what that would entail right now.

Lighting round. Three more. (Jay Jaffe)
2011-06-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Re: Mike Morse - it's now been 472 PAs of .867 OPS over two seasons. How much longer would he need? Or is it so far out of the realm of possibility because of his age? He's got a career OPS of .820, and 30% of those PAs came from his .718 age 23 season.
(Charlie from Bethesda, MD)
Well, I like what he's done. He's hit .300/.352/.511 since that season you mention in 608 scattered PAs. He has real value given that he can move around the field and knock the ball. But his 39 walks/140 strikeouts makes me nervous about the inevitable cold streaks or bad BABIP stretch, because players of this model, be they Robinson Cano or Alfonso Soriano, when they go cold, they just contribute nothing. Put that together with his age and that he should be up for arb after the season and I think, "Go fish." (Steven Goldman)
2011-05-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Any guesses on who FIELDf/x will love and hate that's counter to either sabermetric or gold glove group think?
(Bob from Seattle)
I doubt the FIELDf/x data will ever be public to tell us, but I'd say anyone who plays alongside a really bad fielder, e.g., Robinson Cano. (Mike Fast)
2010-11-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hooray for me! I won an MVP!
(Josh Hamilton from cloud 9)
Happy ginger ale, dude. I'm partial to Robinson Cano, but I can't complain about Hamilton winning given that the Rangers had essentially sewn up the AL West when he went down, and that Cano and Miguel Cabrera did little to distinguish themselves in his absence. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Whither Robinson Cano in the next two or three years? Off a cliff like Baerga and Edgardo Alfonzo, a useful puzzle piece, or something greater?
(Christopher from Nashville)
I think Cano is potentially great, but yes, the shelf-life for second basemen can be painfully short, even for the best of them. I'll go with "something greater" for now, but that doesn't mean I think he'll still be tearing it up when he's 33. (Marc Normandin)
2010-08-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Taking the over or under on 0.5 MVPs for Robinson Cano in the next 5 years?
(Donnie from Out of his element)
I'm going to take the under. He's been great this year, but it's pretty clear he won't get it given the big years by Josh Hamilton and Miguel Cabrera. I would think there will always be a bulky first baseman to overpower him. (Steven Goldman)
2010-07-06 14:00:00 (link to chat)The New York Yankees have been having abnormal years by players, CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, Andy Pettitte, Robinson Cano, Mark Texiera, A-Rod, Nick Swisher, did I miss anyone? Are these years for real or has luck played a major factor in their years?
(SabrGreg from Westchester, NY)
Every team has its share of surprising performances, though, right? And how many of these are truly shocking over the sample size we're talking about? By the end of the season, Swisher probably won't be hitting .296, Pettitte won't have a sub-3.00 ERA, etc. If I had call one of those seasons the most "for real," I'd go with Hughes. (Ben Lindbergh)
2010-06-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)How good is Robinson Cano at baseball?
(Professor Thom from East Village)
Very, very, very good.

A couple of weeks ago I was hanging out watching a Yankees game with my friend Alex Belth of Bronx Banter, a great Yankees blog. We were marveling Cano's stat line - "Dude, he's hitting .370!" - when Alex, who's not really much of a stathead, asked me, "Is there a way you can quantify how locked in he is right now?"

I thought for a second, and then replied. "Yeah. HE'S HITTING .370!" Cracked us both up. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-06-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)What is Robinson Cano?
(AW from PA)
A second baseman for the New York Yankees. (Marc Normandin)
2010-05-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)How much of Robinson Cano's hot start is just a BABIP spike? Any chance he maintains the added power?
(jamin67038 from Wichita, KS)
From last October's Player Profile of Cano (which is actually the second one I've written):

"The difference for Cano between 2008 and 2009 is in the results, not the approach. What does that mean going forward for the Yankee second baseman? Given how well he has hit in the second half each season-numbers that look a lot like his full 2009 campaign-it would make sense that Cano has a few years like 2009 in him. He is in his traditional peak-season period, after all, and 2008 was a campaign mostly marred by poor luck and some bad swings (OK, a lot of them). If he can keep his swing in check, and not succumb to the first-half woes that have plagued him for most of his career-seriously, Robbie, stop swinging at bad pitches outside and letting pitchers kill you inside; it'll work in April too, not just in August-then he should remain as productive as he's been for New York this year for at least the next few seasons."

I don't necessarily think all of this power boost is for real (he has a .347 ISO, which screams "Hi, I have 112 plate appearances") but it looks like his first-half struggles are over and done with, meaning he's a fantastic player in both head-to-head and roto leagues instead of just the latter. (Marc Normandin)
2009-07-13 14:00:00 (link to chat)It's been a year. How does a Matt Kemp for Robinson Cano swap look now?
(Michael from Los Angeles)
I think both teams are happy with what they have. Kemp is the better player in the long term because of his speed and power, and the greater chance he learns to pick up walks. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-06-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Whenever I hear someone singing the blues about Robinson Cano, I think of Horace Clarke. I was 7-years old when Clarke took over 2B for Bobby Richardson. The Yanks’ switch-hitting second baseman of the late 60s/early 70s - best known for breaking up no-hitters in the 9th inning three times in 1970, and rarely turning the double-play - actually had a fairly productive season in 1969 with career highs in nearly every offensive category. But what still blows my mind is his 9 – yes nine! – extra-base hits in 579 at-bats in 1968, Compared to “Hoss,” Robinson Cano IS Rod Carew; heck compared to Clarke, Cano is LOU GEHRIG!!
(rich from nj)
The problem with Cano is that he's inconsistent, and as I have written many times, he kills you when he's cold. In contrast, let me offer Nick Swisher, who batted something like .150 in May but still had a .311 OBP because he took a ton of walks. Cano can be on a hot streak and still not produce a .311 OBP. (Steven Goldman)
2009-06-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Utley is playing over his head? I mean he's no Luis Castillo or Robinson Cano, but he's a pretty good player I think
(James from Philly)
The 60 points of OBP above his baseline is a lot of runs. No one needs to sell me on him, just noting that he's part of the guys a bit over their heads. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-11-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)Steve: Loved the book on Casey. There's nothing else like it. The Swisher trade is a great deal for which Cashman deserves a lot of credit-first of all in finding him, hadn't the Sox put him in the Witness Protection Program? But I digress. I do have the opinion that the Yankees must move on with Robinson Cano. While his trade value has been diminished, wait til you see what it is this time next year! Proposed replacements: (a) Available inexpensively: Mike Fontenot, who is a free agent. Available expensively: Jeff Kent (please NO!), Brian Roberts. Am I jumping the shark on Cano?
(BeplerP from New York City)
Thank you, BeplerP, for reading Forging Genius and for the kind words. The question isn't whether you've jumped the shark on Cano, but whether Cano himself has jumped the shark (I've never heard jumping the shark used to signify that one might be ahead of the shark). I don't think he has, given his age and post-April rates of .297/.326/.448. The problem with Cano is that he seems like he doesn't care half the time. He's locked in for a week, and then he goes 0-for-20 swinging at first pitches and starts making careless plays in the infield. This makes him immensely frustrating to watch, not least of all to the Yankees themselves. How do you keep this guy locked in? They don't know, so the temptation is to make him someone else's problem--and it wouldn't be the end of the world. You could get a 2B who has lower highs but also higher lows, or lower batting averages but is better at getting on base. In that case, the decision to make a change depends on who you can get--the Yankees really need to stay focused on offense. But if your question is, "Will he rebound and improve his value?" I think yes, he will. (Steven Goldman)
2008-10-24 14:00:00 (link to chat)Have we seen the best of Robinson Cano, or is this someone the Yankees can (and should) still build around?
(mattymatty from Philly)
I think it's a bit early to give up on him, but its also worth remembering that second basemen as a group tend to peak earlier than players at any other position (see Nate Silver's work from a few years back). The Yankees' general dearth of young hitters, absence of options to replace him from within the system, and the danger of selling when his value is very low - all of this gives them little choice but to try and build around him. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-10-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)What do you see the Cards doing this offseason. Is Furcal a good fit there, or is he out of their price range? What about a trade for Cano (maybe involving Ludwick...)?
(blaseta from Calgary)
Ew. I'd rather have Ludwick, honestly, but you may be asking the wrong person. I'm not a fan of Robinson Cano, who seems to take half a season to get his swing in order so he can finish with an average line. I'd go for Furcal, because in spite of his price tag, he's the perfect kind of player for that lineup. He gets on base, and with the middle of the order sluggers they rely on so much, they could use the baserunners. (Marc Normandin)
2008-09-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)How would you rate the job Girardi has done so far this year? Does he get a pass due to all the injuries? Or is he not the right fit for this team regardless. Some of my Yankee friends say the team is underachieving regardless because he's just too uptight a personality for a veteran club.
(arfdolph from Antioch (Calif.))
I can't say that he's done an impressive jobâ€"his on-field decisions often leave something to be desiredâ€"but there's plenty of blame to go around, where the Yankees are concerned. I'd be less worried about Girardi being too uptight for the veteran players, than about the way youngsters like Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera have played under him. (Derek Jacques)
2008-08-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)Ah, but the better question is, is it in the Yankees best interest to play Pudge as often as possible between now and the end of the year? According to Eddie B. over at Tiger Thoughts (who reverse engineered the Elias Rankings) Pudge is the top Type B catcher free agent and just a hair behind Ramon Hernandez for the last Type A spot. Since the Elias Rankings are based primarily on playing time and counting stats, it certainly gives the Yankees an incentive to try and sneak Pudge into that upgrade by giving him as much playing time as possible.
(that they die like sheeple from teh Doomokratic Republik)
Interesting point. I'm willing to bet the Yankees aren't thinking that far ahead, or they have and concluded that Pudge is so far gone it's just not likely to happen. Again, let's see if things change after this series, if the Yankees acknowledge that their playoff chances are so remote as to not be worth chasing... Nice work by Robinson Cano robbing David Ortiz on the shift. I bet that's exactly how it looked when an infielder made a play on Ernie Lombardi back in the 30s. (Steven Goldman)
2008-07-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)I saw a rumor that had Robinson Cano heading to LA for Derek Lowe and Matt Kemp. This reeks of a set up to acquire Washburn and Vidro from Seattle. Tell me that the Yanks don't plan on making Vidro their 2B?
(Scott from NJ)
I'd consider that a genuine bit of Apple-flavored nonsense (Big or equine, not Mac), not simply because the Dodgers can't really afford to part with any starting pitching, but because they also have some guy named Kent. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-06-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Steve, could you resolve a debate for me. Do you think the marginal advantage of replacing Melky with Gardner outweighs the resulting hit to the yankees chemistry? I tend to discount any such thing as "chemistry" but my buddy swears its key to maintaining a winning streak.
(Chris from Jersey)
I think winning breeds chemistry more than the other way around. Maybe benching/trading Melky would bother the heck out of Robinson Cano, but we can worry about his POV when he has a .300 OBP again. (Steven Goldman)
2008-05-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Steven .... let's move the discussion back to Jeter for a moment. Do you see ANY way ANYONE in the organization pulls him aside in the near future and says "your days as a shortstop are over"? If so, what position could he possibly play and still make his bat worthwhile? Side question/comment: before last night, I would have voted A-Rod for a Gold Glove this year ... man has he improved.
(dianagramr from NYC)
I don't see it. I admire the man who has the guts to do it, but you know they're going to have to have the whole College of Cardinals in to approve the decision. In any case, someone has to be pushing him. There has to be an alternative, and right now that guy isn't in the organization, or if he his (um, Carmen Angelini?) he hasn't identified himself as the heir... Anyway, I don't see his bat carrying another position now. Maybe second base, but I don't know if the could hack it defensively, and the Yankees are set there, assuming Robinson Cano wakes up from his nightmare. (Steven Goldman)
2008-05-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Why do I keep reading about how much trouble the Yankees are in? Hasn't this been the story for three years running now? Slow start, fast finish. Do you see anything to make you think this year will be different from 2005-2007?
(Joe from Tewksbury, MA)
Yes. Everybody in the lineup, including Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada is a year older, and with the exception of Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano, they're a year further away from their statistical primes, to say nothing about the fact that Cano looks pretty lost right now. The bench is weak even for a team that's done poorly in that area in the recent past. Seriously, I'd take Chili Davis, Darryl Strawberry, Luis Sojo and Ron Coomer circa 2008 over some of the stiffs they have lying around.

There's that, plus a weak pitching staff where the back of the rotation has been a thorough disaster thus far and the bullpen situation is considered so fragile that there's actually a question about whether they'll move Joba Chamberlain to a starting role this year. Add to that the fact that the AL East has gotten tougher and I think there's no longer any guarantee that the Yankees will contend, let alone win the division.

The other thing in play is the new manager. Through the early season debacles of the last few years, Torre was able to absorb the front office's slings and arrows and still give off a sense of calm confidence that things would eventually turn around. Girardi is protected from the barbs of Hank Steinbrenner at the moment -- his focus appears to be on forcing Brian Cashman out -- but Little Joe is the kind of guy who seems more likely to go Billy Martin bonkers as things get worse, and I don't think that's going to help. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-05-09 14:00:00 (link to chat)Robinson Cano. What the dilly-yo?
(johnpark99 from Boston)
Slow starts happen. He's still a great choice to be the league's best second baseman in terms of overall value over the next five or six years. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-02-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who is the best overall baserunner on the Yankees?
(Rob from Andover, CT)
In 2007 I had Johnny Damon on top at +7 runs with Alex Rodriguez next at +5.2. Derek Jeter usually does well in baserunning and was at +2.4 and Hidecki Matsui was at +2.3.

On the flip side, as usual Jorge Posada was last at -7.6 and Jason Giambi was at -3.5. Robinson Cano also did poorly at -2.2. Those three were also on the bottom in 2006 with Bernie Williams next.
Melky Cabrera (+2) did well in 2006 as did Bobby Abreu (+1.5) but Damon was tops at +5.6.

Based on past performance I'd have to go with Damon. (Dan Fox)
2008-02-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)how are cano's fielding stats? does having jeter and cano up the middle hurt some of the yankee pitchers like wang?
(jphan44 from NY)
In both 2006 and 2007 I had Robinson Cano doing well at +7.8 and +9.1 respectively. The system didn't like him in 2005 when he was -6.1.

That said, in SFR the infielders next to you definitely have an effect on your SFR. I think we saw that this year with Garrett Atkins where he rated "only" -3.5 when other systems have him way down there with Ryan Braun. (Dan Fox)
2008-01-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Robinson Cano's PECOTA? Does he project to be a high-variability player? Thanks!
(Tony from Brooklyn, NY)
He's not particuarly high-variability. He's either going to be a pretty good ballplayer like Carlos Baerga or a really freakin' good ballplayer like ... someone better than Carlos Baerga. The scenarios where he crashes and burns are pretty much off the table at this point. (Nate Silver)


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2010-07-13 16:30:00All-Star GameRobinson Cano looks a little lost in the sun out there at second. (Tommy Bennett)
2010-07-13 16:30:00All-Star GameJoe Buck calls Robinson Cano's bobbled grounder "a good play." Get your skirt down and square your hips to the ball. (Tommy Bennett)
2010-07-13 16:30:00All-Star GameJoe Girardi bats Robinson Cano 8th in his OWN lineup? (Steven Goldman)
2009-10-28 17:00:002009 WS Game OneRobinson Cano proves that solid contact off Lee is possible, but it's a deep f8 and we go scoreless to the 3rd. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-10-16 13:00:00NLCS Game Two/ALCS Game OneIf Robinson Cano gets a hit here with Matsui on second, it will be his first with a runner in scoring position this year. (Steven Goldman)
2009-10-16 13:00:00NLCS Game Two/ALCS Game OneWith that mask on, how do we know that's REALLY Robinson Cano? (Steven Goldman)
 

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