7-player deal sends Cano, Diaz to Mets
NEW YORK — The New York Mets acquired second baseman Robinson Cano and major league saves leader Edwin Diaz from the rebuilding Seattle Mariners in a seven-player trade.
New York also will receive $20 million from Seattle in the deal announced Monday. The Mariners also received outfielder Jay Bruce, reliever Anthony Swarzak and three prospects — former first-round draft picks Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic, plus righthander Gerson Bautista.
Seattle has not reached the playoffs since 2001 — the longest postseason drought across the four major pro American sports. After finishing third in the AL West despite an 89-73 record, the Mariners decided to go in another direction.
In his first big move as the Mets’ general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen brought the 36year-old Cano back to New York. Van Wagenen previously was an agent and represented the former Yankees slugger.
Cano is halfway through a $240 million, 10-year contract. With the cash from Seattle, the Mets will be responsible for $100 million of the $120 million owed to Cano.
Cano has a .304 career batting average with 311 homers and 1,233 RBIs, including four 100-RBI seasons. He has a career .848 OPS, including an .845 mark last season.
Diaz, 24, led the majors with 57 saves last season, had a 1.96 ERA and struck out 124 in 731⁄3 1/3 innings.
Bruce, a three-time All-Star with Cincinnati who is 31, was acquired by the Mets at the 2016 trade deadline, dealt to Cleveland in August 2017, became a free agent and returned to the Mets last January. He hit .223 this year and set career lows with nine homers and 37 RBIs, sidelined from June 18 through Aug. 24 by a right hip issue.