POINT OF CANO RETURN
Robbie’s back in Big Apple, but questions remain for Mets
The Mets and Mariners have agreed on the blockbuster trade that will bring closer Edwin Diaz and eight-time allstar Robinson Cano to Flushing, along with cash. The deal, which also rids the Mets of Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak’s bad contracts, was completed Saturday and is expected to be finalized with the commissioners office, as well as medical record reviews, and announced as soon as Monday, an industry source confirmed.
The first trade of new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s tenure is raising eyebrows around the league. It’s a dramatic and creative move, signaling a more aggressive front office than in recent years. It also still leaves the Mets roster missing several key pieces.
And it raises the question if the Mets will still spend to fill those holes.
The Mariners have been eager to move Cano, the 36year old who was busted for PED use last season. He has five years and $120 million remaining on his contract. Seattle is reportedly sending back around $20 million toward the remainder on Cano’s contract. Combined with shedding Swarzak and Bruce’s contracts, the Mets will be responsible for just over half of that $120 million.
The Mets are also paying a high price for Diaz in terms of prospects.
They are sending their 2018 first-round draft pick, No. 6 overall, Jarred Kelenic to the Mariners along with right-hander Justin Dunn, considered their top pitching prospect, and Gerson Bautista, a reliever the Mets acquired in the 2017 deadline deal from the Red Sox.
In return, however, the Mets are getting the 24-year-old Diaz, who is under team control for the next four years. Coming off a season in which he posted a major-league leading 57 saves, Diaz has 109 saves in just three years in the big leagues
With a four-seam fastball that touches 100 miles an hour and averages 98 mph, Diaz has struck out 301 and walked just 64 in 191 innings over three years.
Diaz not only fills the void in the back end of the bullpen, left when Jeurys Familia was traded last July, but should be an upgrade.
And right now, Cano is still a dangerous hitter.
An eight-time All Star with a career .304/ .355/.493 slash line over 14 years, Cano hit .303/.374/.481 with 10 homers and 22 doubles in 80 games last season. He should still be able to add a little pop to the Mets lineup in 2019, at least, but he missed nearly half the 2018 season after he was suspended 80 games.
While he immediately becomes the most accomplished bat in the Mets’ Opening Day lineup, it’s fair to wonder how long Cano can maintain that.
While this deal certainly captivated the city this week, it was really just a small step toward putting the Mets back on track. In a division with the young Phillies targeting big-money free agents like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, plus the young Braves already making moves to improve on their division-winning season, the Mets have an uphill battle to compete.
Building around a strong starting rotation yet again, the Mets have to upgrade at catcher this winter. They tendered Travis d’Arnaud a contract Friday night, but they have already been talking to teams and free agents about bringing in a catcher. On the free-agent market, Martin Maldonado, a veteran that some in the organization really like, would fit their needs behind the plate and not cost them too much.
They also need a true center fielder. Juan Lagares, who is coming back from toe surgery, is in the final year of a five-year, $9 million contract. A strong defender, Lagares has struggled at the plate and has also had a hard time staying healthy. Free-agent outfielder A.J. Pollock would fit in nicely there, but again that will come down to money.
As unknown as how Cano will hold up over the remaining years of his contract is how this deal will affect the Mets’ payroll. Will they be able to go out and spend on a catcher and center fielder, let alone another back-end of the bullpen arm to actually put themselves in a position to compete?
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon has said that Van Wagenen has the resources to make changes, but has declined to specifically comment on if they will increase the payroll.
The Mets agreed to a big deal on Saturday night, but they still have big holes to fill this winter.