Robinson Cano: Is he or the New York Yankees Happy?

Jun 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) spits after grounding out to end the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

It has been almost two years since second baseman Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees decided to part ways and end their relationship. Cano bolted to the west coast to play with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Yankees have had a series of second basemen since the departure of Cano.

Two years later, it’s hard to really signify who profited from the split?

More from Call to the Pen

Cano bolted for more money in Seattle. That evidence is staring right in the face of the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and the 28 other Major League teams. Cano wanted “the money”.

Cano left for Seattle because he felt he was not profiting from his services at Yankee Stadium for the Bronx Bombers.

Next to future hall of famer shortstop Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano was just as recognized in New York. His face was all over the city on television as well as street signs.
Cano really excelled in New York at Yankee Stadium. He could hit homeruns with relative ease and was a constant threat in the lineup, as well as on the field with his smooth play at second base. Cano’s ‘sweet spot’ for hitting homeruns was right field in the Bronx.

In December, 2013 Cano signed a 10 year $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. In comparison, the New York Yankees offered a 7 year deal for $175 million. A longer deal and more money is what Cano opted for. Over the course of the 2014 season, Cano finished with 14 homeruns and 82 RBI’s, along with a .314 batting average. No one doubts his statistics accumulated since his debut with the Yankees in 2005. Cano’s a six time All-Star, five time Silver-Slugger Award winner, two time Gold-Glove winner and a World Series Champion in 2009 with the Yankees.

His second year of the 10 year deal in Seattle is not going well. Cano has 3 homeruns, 23 RBI’s and 68 hits. Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Cano were considered two of the best second basemen in the American League just a short while ago. Now the game has evolved. There are other second basemen in the American League who have better statistics than Cano. Fellow second basemen, Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve and Cleveland Indians’ Jason Kipnis appear to be taking the league by storm. Pedroia and Cano appear to be showing signs of decline in their play.

The New York Yankees have not found their replacement for Cano. In 2014, they had an assortment of players manning the vacated position. Brian Roberts, Stephen Drew, Kelly Johnson, Martin Prado and Brendan Ryan were called upon to be the man playing second base role over the course of last season. The Yankees could never really get comfortable and relaxed with their future star since the loss of Cano. The honor, this season, appears to fall upon Jose Pirela and newly acquired shortstop – sometimes used at second base – Didi Gregorius.

Gregorius was acquired by the Yankees as the heir apparent replacement for their long-time captain Derek Jeter, in a three team trade with the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and the Yankees. It could be argued that since the retirement of Jeter and the free agent departure of Cano, the Yankees are scrambling for both shortstop and second base. The inexperience or pressure of playing for the pinstripes is getting to the men responsible for replacing Jeter and Cano.

In 2014, the New York Yankees finished the season with a record of 84-78 and 12 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. Making the playoffs is essential each season in the Big Apple. Failure is not an option if you are wearing Yankees’ pinstripes. They barely held onto second place in the American League East as they won one single game more than the third place Toronto Blue Jays.

Year one with Cano in Mariner colors, the Seattle Mariners finished slightly better with a record of 87-75. However, they finished in third place, behind the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Oakland Athletics. Bringing in Cano did not elevate the team into the playoffs. During the same off-season the Seattle Mariners and former manager Eric Wedge decided to cut ties from one another. The team went out and hired former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon.

In the 2015 season, the Yankees have won 39 of their first 72 games. The Seattle Mariners have only won 33 of their 72 games. Yes, while it is true that it is a long season and anything can happen, neither team has skyrocketed. The Yankees are 2 games behind the injury ravaged and small market Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners are 8 ½ games behind the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Just as in fractured marriages, divorces hurt! Kids can be affected and can bruise the future of a family. In this case, both Cano and the New York Yankees decided to end their time together but in year two of their separation it would clearly be apparent that neither party is happy.

Next: Is this the real Taijuan Walker?

More from Call to the Pen

Home / New York Yankees