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It is true that Jerry Dipoto spoke with other teams about the possibility of transferring to the Dominican Republic Robinson Canó. This is not surprising, given that the Director General of the Seamen he recognized from the first day of the off season that he was ready to consider any move to reshape the list of Seattle and put the team in a better position to give the fight in the next two or three years.
Dipoto he clarified that no player is untouchable, although he also stressed that he should receive overwhelming offers to get rid of young stars like the close Puerto Rican Edwin Díaz, Mitch Haniger and Marco Gonzales. These players represent the core around which Dipoto wants to build a team.
And it is precisely for this reason that Canó, Felix Hernandez and Nelson Cruz, of Venezuela, could soon be ex-seamen.
Apparently, Dipoto has already decided to go ahead without Cruz, who at 38 is the best appointed hitter in the free agent market. Canó and Hernández are still on the list of sailors and are both available in exchanges, although they come with warnings. Or, more precisely, huge contracts.
Although the name of Hernández is not as pronounced as that of Canó in the rumors of change, the Mariners would not hesitate to exchange it if another team was willing to take on the responsibility of a part of the 27 million USD due to the rightful 32 year old. the age of the last year of your contract.
The same can be said of Canó, which currently has more value than Hernández, but which also implies a long-term economic commitment, since it has five years left and that he still has 120 million US dollars and 240 million US dollars.
Dipoto has had conversations about Cano with other teams, including the Mets and the Yankees, although it does not appear that a move is imminent.
But Dipoto is not afraid to move chips because since he took the reins of the Mariners after the 2015 campaign made 82 changes in 38 months. Two of his most memorable moves occurred this month. He sent James Paxton to the Yankees and Mike Zunino to the Rays, which is more of a compromise between 2021 and 2022 than next season.
That's why Hernandez could be transferred, although the pay is minimal. The Valencia native, who has long been the face of the franchise, briefly lost his job in the rotation in August, until an injury to Paxton allowed him to join him. But after recording a record of 8-14 and an ERA of 5.55 in 2018, it is not certain that Hernandez has the opportunity to return to serve as a starter and less in a team that seeks to rebuild with one eye on the future.
Because he's been in the major leagues for more than 10 seasons and the last five are on the same team, Hernandez would have the right to refuse any changes. But given his desire to continue to play as a starter and reach the playoffs for the first time in his career, it's hard to imagine he would reject the opportunity to join another team.
Sailors might be willing to separate from Hernandez without demanding much in return, given the performance and salary of the right. The case of Cano is different, since last year, the Dominican produced wood at 35 years. Although he lost 80 games due to a suspension for doping, the native of San Pedro de Macoris had an average of .303 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs. After returning from suspension, he hit .317 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 41 games.
Although the Mariners would like to get rid of Cano's contract, they are in no hurry to lose their offensive production. The young man led the team in percentage of the number of players on the base in 2018, finishing in second place (one point) behind his compatriot Jean Segura batting average and in third position after Cruz and Haniger in slugging .
Since he still has five years left in his contract, Cano could be part of the core that Dipoto is building, especially if the veteran is ready to move from second to first base or to serve as a designated hitter. .
As a result, reports that sailors might include Diaz or prospect Kyle Lewis in a package with Cano to convince a team like the Yankees or Mets to accept the Dominicans do not seem to understand Dipoto's intentions.
Sailors are not trying to get rid of Cano and will not give in to Diaz or Lewis just to reduce their payroll.
Dipoto will surely hear all the offers and his baseball operations group is known to be unconventional. But any exchange for Cano would be with the idea of adding for the future, not simply to withdraw from the present.
The possibility of creating economic flexibility for the future is a determining factor. Dipoto will have to decide which part of the contract Can he is willing to cover. The more a team is willing to pay money to Cano, the less the perspective offered by the veteran is important.
For a player the size of Canó and for a contract of this magnitude, any trade can be complicated. That's why, right now, it's conversations and nothing more.
Seattle I MLB.com I By Greg Johns
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