Mets: Robinson Cano will fail at quest for 3000 hits, after failed drug test

With news breaking on Wednesday that Robinson Cano will miss the entire 2021 season, the Mets second baseman’s hopes of getting 3000 career hits are now squashed.

If you asked me to put Robinson Cano in a group, I’d put him with Tony Gwynn and Ken Griffey Jr. These players really do have sweet swings from the left side of the plate. Unfortunately, the New York Mets will now be put in a different group, one with Alex Rodriguez and Marlon Byrd, players who were suspended a full season for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.

For the second time in his career, Cano will have to sit out, missing a substantial amount of games. He also missed 80 games in 2018 for testing positive for PEDs (although he was on the injured list with a broken hand as well).

There have been only two years in Cano’s career where he’s hasn’t collected at least 100 hits in a season. His suspension year of ’18 and the pandemic shortened 2020 season.

To this point Robbie has accumulated 2624 hits and after hitting .316 last year has not shown signs of slowing down. He’ll be 39 years old the next time he steps in the batter’s box. He’ll be able to play two more years on his Mets contract though would require him to average 188 hits a year to get to 3000. Cano has collected more than 188 hits just once in the past seven years.

This is even if the Mets want him around when he comes back from his suspension. Is he able to be a full time player? While he is still swinging a good bat, can his legs handle the extra wear and tear from playing the field?

Cano will be on the wrong side of 40 when he is ready to sign his next contract. Who is going to want an aging, two-time cheater, as a part of their franchise? Cano can forget about joining the famed 3000 hit club, his chances are slim to none of doing so now.

For Robinson Cano, the opportunity to reach a milestone only 32 other people have accomplished has gone by the wayside. For fans of baseball who love watching that sweet left handed swing, we’ll have to put getting that joy from Cano on hold.