New York Mets: Robinson Cano, the Universal DH and the Future

Does Robinson Cano have a future as the DH of the New York Mets? After recent talks of possible rule changes, Cano’s future role is becoming more clear.

Throughout the offseason, the New York Mets were able to upgrade their roster, but at a cost. I support the decision to bring Robinson Cano back to New York, considering that the move also included Edwin Diaz, but we can’t ignore the inherent risk of relying on the aging Cano.

Robinson Cano, a 36-year-old star, is set to be with the New York Mets through 2023. While the first two-three years of his remaining contract should prove to be productive, can we say the same about the final two seasons? Robinson Cano will finish his time in New York as a 40-year-old. In order to maximize Cano’s value, the Mets will need to manage the left-handed hitter, keeping him healthy and productive.

If all goes to plan, Cano could go down as a legendary member of the orange and blue, especially if he is able to carry the Amazins’ to multiple playoff berths. How can the Mets’ maximize Cano’s value and talents throughout the remaining years of his contract?

The answer is simpler then it may seem. Theoretically, the Mets could maximize Cano’s value by supporting the inception of a universal designated hitter…

While Cano’s bat seems set to age smoothly, we can’t say the same about his fielding. Too much work on old legs could lead to injuries, which could lead to regression. The implementation of the universal DH would allow for Cano to have a spot on the Mets for the long term.

I don’t support the idea of the National League finally adopting the DH and Noah Syndergaard seems to agree…

But the change makes a lot of sense for a team like the New York Mets. The DH would allow the Mets to manage Cano’s playing time, hopefully keeping him healthy and productive throughout the remainder of his contract. Maybe he could become the Mets’ version of David Ortiz? Could this be Brodie Van Wagenen’s vision for Cano?

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Originally, the Mets’ Cano/Diaz blockbuster trade seemed a little questionable. Why would rookie GM, Van Wagenen, commit himself to an aging overpaid star? In my head, I am left to figure that Van Wagenen and the Mets saw this movement coming. At first, acquiring Cano seemed like a move to go all in for 2019-20 while gambling the future. As talks of rule changes continue to swirl, the gamble now seems to resemble a calculated risk… One that could pay off for the Mets in the short and long-run. The Mets now have an impact bat in their lineup, something that they would have lacked in 2019, especially with Yoenis Cespedes‘ questionable outlook.

Now with that said, let’s take a look at the Mets’ roster.

The Amazins’ seem to have found the right side of their infield for the foreseeable future. As I mentioned, Cano will be on the books until 2023 and the team has Peter Alonso lurking as the club’s rightful heir to first base.

The universal DH would allow the Mets to field a creative lineup as they could maximize on their roster flexibility. With Cano at DH, the Mets could give lots of playing time to Jeff McNeil or Andres Gimenez. They could also slide Cano over to first base, allowing Peter Alonso to impact the club with his bat without the liability of his defense (Is his defense really as bad as the Mets made it out to be?). The biggest wild card of this whole equation is Yoenis Cespedes…

After the emergence of Brandon Nimmo, Cespedes’ future with the New York Mets has seemed questionable. The slugger is set to miss most, if not all of 2019 after having surgery on both of his heels. The Mets view Nimmo and Michael Conforto as corner outfielders, where does Cespedes play? Certainly not centerfield, and it is hard to imagine that he could play left or right field with any sort of regularity. Cespedes has had a long history of lower body injuries and while his heel surgeries are supposed to relieve some of his injury woes, Cespedes’ playability and future value has become a major question mark.

The slugging right-hander has mentioned an interest in receiving time at first base, but DH seems to be his logical ending point. Cespedes is on the books through 2020. If the DH is implementing in 2020, Cespedes would have a defined role in a deep lineup. The Mets could stagger his time between the outfield and DH while doing the same with Cano at second base.

A once crowded Mets’ roster now seems to have a logical ending outcome. Is this the image that Brodie Van Wagenen has for the New York Mets? I hope so, the Mets have the pieces to field a highly competitive team, especially if they are able to capitalize from the benefits of the universal DH.