Why an exchange of Yankees against Robinson Cano makes sense



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The history of the Yankees and Robinson Cano is ancient. Like a strip of smooth land in the forest, it is a path that had already been driven out. You may think that because we're dealing with mega-contracts and sabermetrics, it's a modern tale, but you're wrong. This brings us back to a similar story almost 2,000 years ago.

In this old story, a boy asks his father for his inheritance and then travels the world living in profusion, then returning to destitution and loss, hoping to beg for another chance. To his surprise, his father welcomes him home with open arms and even celebrates his arrival. It is a story of forgiveness, acceptance and celebration of the good in a given situation. This is a story that is closely linked to that of Cano: the return of Prodigal son (Robin).

In December 2013, Cano signed what was then the fourth largest contract in the history of baseball. The Seattle Mariners' $ 240 million 10-year deal was an easy choice over the $ 175 million Yankees bid over seven years. Beyond the huge salary, the Mariners' agreement reassures Cano that he was signed up to 41 years old and that he would not have to negotiate a new contract before the end of his thirties. It was an understandable decision, but for Yankee fans, it still hurt.

Cano began his career with the Yankees and the Bronx loved him. Naturally, it was difficult to watch his talent, style and personality on the other side, wasted in a team that has not played in the playoffs for 17 years. To make matters worse, in 2018 he was fired for violating the league's drug policy, which aims to improve performance, and was suspended for 80 games. Although he is not quite helpless and lost, he now enjoys a tarnished reputation within an unseemly team in the championship.

Rumors of trade talks between the Yankees and the Mariners surfaced this week, making the return of son Prodigal (Robin) a real possibility. However, reports indicate that the proposed deal – a Cano exchange against Jacoby Ellsbury – might have failed. The Yankees apparently asked the Mariners to pay money to cover the rest of Cano's heavy contract and they refused. The Mariners continued their discussions with the Mets and it seemed to be going well.

In his current state, the Yankees' lineup needs a few things: start throwing, replace Didi Gregorius at a short stop while he is treating Tommy John's surgery, and have insurance at the corner of the fields. At first glance, the addition of Cano does not really fill the gaps. Of course, he could take over the second base and replace Gleyber Torres to replace Didi, but it's a short-term need and with the remaining years of his contract, Cano is a long-term move.

The Jacoby Ellsbury affair was terrible for the Yankees. He suffers many injuries, has not known the world for more than a year and still owes $ 42.28 million over the next two seasons, as well as a $ 5 million buyout in 2021. for Ellsbury as the Yankees already have an inflated outdoor field of talent. To put it simply, they would love to remove it from the list.

Exchanging Ellsbury's useless mega-contract for a useless contract in Cano might make sense, as they receive roughly the same amount a year and the Yankees can benefit more from it. The problem, however, is that Ellsbury is no longer in the books after 2020 with the redemption of the following season, while Cano earns $ 24 million a year until 2023, when he turns 40. By contract, if the Mariners are not willing to spit, this deal does not seem fair to Brian Cashman.

This is the consensus that has emerged so far in this agreement because the Mariners seem unwilling to pay. But what happens if the Yankees have made the deal? What if they traded $ 47.28 million worth of peanut wrappings for $ 120 million more? It may not be such a bad idea.

Obviously, Cano can help replace Didi immediately. He is not exactly Stephen Drew; He is eight-time All Star, five-time Silver Slugger, two-time Gold Glover, an MVP All-Star Game, a Home Run Derby winner, and a World Series champion. With a player of this caliber in training, Didi can take the time to heal properly. The Yankees would not miss a beat during his absence.

Cano can still produce big numbers. In his last three seasons in Seattle, he scored 72 homers and beat 129 wRC + to 12.3 WAR while missing 80 games. He also spent 88 innings playing the first middle goal of the Mariners after his suspension. With his bat, the early focus is enough for the Yankees. Providing this type of production in depth and depth is a considerable asset when injuries can lead to teams in the playoffs.

It is also logical from the point of view of intangible assets. Cano already knows the ins and outs of Yankee baseball. He went through the system, spent nine years in the field of scratches and won a world series in the Bronx. His easy-going and always-laughing personality would be perfect for the clubhouse. It would also add some needed leadership to veterans, as well as the ability to mentor young, up-and-coming Dominican talents, such as Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Miguel Andujar, Domingo German, Albert Abreu and Domingo Acevedo.

Unless the Mariners soften their position on the money kicker, this deal will probably not happen. Contractually, this may not make sense, but for a team that only has two current players, Giancarlo Stanton and Aroldis Chapman, to be paid until 2021 and most of its big players do not not part of the free players until 2023, it may be a financial constraint that they can afford. . Cano can bring a lot to the Yankees, although he could start hanging around at the age of 40. At the end of the day, it's the Yankees who take things in hand and the fans who act as a welcoming father to their Prodigal (Robin) Son's home.

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