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Mariners News: Robinson Cano “Not Happy in Seattle”

By Brian Helberg

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John Harper of the New York Daily News is reporting that Robinson Cano is unhappy playing for the Seattle Mariners. Harper also indicated that Cano would like to be traded back to the New York Yankees. Harper did not speak directly with Cano, but cited a “long-time friend” as his source.

The report of Cano’s discontent comes just days after former outfield instructor Andy Van Slyke tore into him during an appearance on a St. Louis radio station. Van Slyke heavily criticized the Mariners’ star second baseman, suggesting his lack of effort was the reason for the catastrophic results in 2015.

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Robbie was a bit like Jekyll and Hyde this season with the Mariners. The perennial All-Star got off to the worst start of his career, hitting just .238 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI through the first three months of the season. However, he heated up big time during the summer. Cano posted a .330 batting average with 17 home runs and 55 RBI over the M’s final 82 games.

As a whole, Cano’s .287/.334/.446 was his worst slash line since 2008. He entered the season with five consecutive All Star appearances, but his terrible first half did not warrant a trip to this year’s mid-summer classic. Cano struck out 68 times in 2014, but that number ballooned to 106 this year.

Cano has a pair of Gold Gloves sitting in his trophy case, however he was a subpar fielder this past season. He is silky smooth at second base, but Cano posted -0.5 defensive wins above replacement in 2015. His fielding percentage and range factor were both above average, but he graded out as a poor defender by Baseball Reference.

Most of Van Slyke’s criticism was out of line, but Cano’s mental lapses during the first half of the season were embarrassing. However, if Cano was just simply collecting a pay check, he would never have put forth the effort necessary to rebound in the second half. He also battled through a pair of sports hernias over the final couple months of the season.

Personally, I would not put much stock in a writer from New York reporting that Robinson Cano wants to wear pinstripes again. I could see Cano being upset that no one in the Mariners’ organization defended him since Van Slyke’s radio rant. He was also very close with Lloyd McClendon, and I’m sure he was disappointed to see him go. However, it is ridiculous to suggest Cano wants to be traded.

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Cano is just two years into the 10-year deal worth $240 million dollars he signed with Seattle as a free agent following the 2013 season. Even if the Mariners wanted to move the 33-year-old, it is unlikely they would be able to find a dance partner willing to take on the $192 million still owed to him.

Was Cano the dominant player the Mariners hoped he would be in 2015? No. However, his strong second half indicates he could still have multiple All-Star caliber seasons ahead of him. If the M’s are going to bring postseason baseball back to the Emerald City in 2016, it’s going to take a great campaign from Robby. Put simply, Seattle is not even in the playoff discussion next year without Cano at second base.

Next: Mariners Free Agent Target: Zack Greinke

If you needed further proof Robbie is going nowhere, he tweeted this out on Monday morning shortly after Harper’s article was posted. Notice that he is “getting ready for next season” with the Mariners. The M’s twitter account also retweeted the video. Cano will be playing his home games at Safeco Field for a very long time, end of story.

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