Mets to acquire Cano, Diaz in blockbuster deal
Robinson Cano is heading back to the Big Apple.
The New York Mets and Seattle Mariners informed their players Saturday that a trade has been completed that will send the all-star second baseman and closer Edwin Diaz to the Mets for veterans outfielder Jay Bruce, right-hander Anthony Swarzak and three prospects, a high-ranking official directly involved in the trade confirmed.
The Mets also will receive US$20 million from the Mariners, who in return also got prospects outfielder Jarred Kelenic and right-handers Justin Dunn and Gerson Bautista. Considering they also shed $38 million in salary from Bruce and Swarzak, they will be on the hook for
$63 million over the next five years to Cano instead of
$120 million. The deal hinges on players passing physicals.
With the trade, the Mets are signalling they are all in to win in 2019, under new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. They still are continuing their search for a catcher, bullpen help and potentially a third baseman.
The Mariners, who have the longest post-season drought in baseball, dating to 2001, are in a complete rebuild.
They already traded ace James Paxton and catcher Mike Zunino, and now have all-star shortstop Jean Segura and former batting champion Dee Gordon on the trade block.
Cano, who was suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy last season, spent the first nine years of his career in New York with the Yankees before signing a 10-year, $240-million deal with the Mariners after the
2013 season.
Diaz, 24, has blossomed into one of the most dominant closers in baseball and his 57 saves in 2018 tied for the second-most in baseball history.
The right-hander made 73 appearances, striking out 124 in 73 1/3 innings.
Kelenic, an outfielder from Wisconsin, was the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft. The 19-year-old hit .286 in his first professional season and is No. 62 in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects.
Bruce has two years and
$28 million left on the three-year deal he signed with the Mets.