Mets’ moves divide their fans
Some worry adding Cano and Diaz means mortgaging team’s future
NEW YORK— Aiming for an instant upgrade after two failing seasons, the New York Mets and their rookie general manager turned to a most familiar face. The Mets made a splash when they acquired eight-time allstar second baseman Robinson Cano and major league saves leader Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in a seven-player trade Monday.
The Mariners weren’t done, also trading all-star shortstop Jean Segura plus relievers James Pazos and Juan Nicasio to the Philadelphia Phillies for veteran first baseman Carlos Santana and infielder J.P. Crawford. Segura hit .304 with 10 homers, 63 runs batted in, 20 stolen bases and had a .341on-base percentage last season. He is signed through 2022 and is owed $60 million (U.S.).
In his first big move as Mets GM, Brodie Van Wagenen brought the 36-year-old Cano back to New York. Van Wagenen previously was an agent and represented the former Yankees slugger.
The rebuilding Mariners also sent $20 million to the Mets for outfielder Jay Bruce, reliever Anthony Swarzak and three prospects: former first-round draft picks Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic, plus right-hander Gerson Bautista.
Mets fans were strongly split on the deal. Some applauded the trade as a chance for a team three years removed from the World Series to quickly head back in that direction. The Mets went 77-85 this year despite a rotation that included National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler.
Others saw the Mets mortgaging their future for a highpriced player on the back end of his career. Many Mets rooters remembered deals for aging second basemen Carlos Baerga and Roberto Alomar Jr. that didn’t work out — it was also mentioned that on this date, Dec. 3, back in 1969, the Mets traded soon-to-be star centrefielder Amos Otis to Kansas City for washout third baseman Joe Foy.
Van Wagenen, Cano and Diaz were set to talk about the deal Tuesday during a holiday party at Citi Field.
In other Major League Baseball news:
The Dodgers signed manager Dave Roberts to a four-year contract extension.
Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, 30-10 over the past two seasons with the Seibu Lions, is free to negotiate with MLB teams starting Tuesday.
The World Series champion Boston Red Sox accepted an invitation to visit the White House.
Cano is halfway through a 10year, $240-million contract. With the cash from Seattle, the Mets will be responsible for $100 million of the $120 million owed to Cano.
Cano served an 80-game suspension this year following a positive test for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs. Cano claimed the Furosemide was given to him by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic. The suspension was announced May 15, two days after Cano’s right hand was broken when he was hit by a pitch thrown by Detroit’s Blaine Hardy.
Cano returned to the Mariners on Aug. 14 and finished with a .303 batting average, 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 80 games. He waived his no-trade clause to return to New York.
Van Wagenen was co-head of CAA Baseball before joining the Mets in October and negotiated Cano’s contract with Seattle in December 2013. Cano has a .304 career batting average with 311 homers and 1,233 RBIs, including four100-RBI seasons. He has a career .848 on-base plus slugging percentage, including an .845 mark last season.
Diaz’s value may never have been higher after the hardthrowing 24-year-old topped the majors with 57 saves last season. He had a 1.96 earnedrun average and struck out 124 in 731⁄ 3 innings.
“This trade bolsters our player development system with the additions of Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, while also providing immediate impact to our major league club,” Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said.