San Diego Padres rumors: Close to signing Robinson Canó?
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the San Diego Padres could be adding a veteran bat to their lineup in Robinson Canó.
San Diego Padres rumors are linking the team with Robinson Canó
The 39-year-old Canó was designated for assignment by the New York Mets in order to make the May 2 MLB deadline for downsizing rosters from 28 to 26. He was officially released by the team on May 8 after a disappointing start to the campaign where he slashed .195/.233/.268 in 43 plate appearances (41 at-bats).
However, many throughout baseball thought that Canó would get another chance with a team that was willing to see if he could break out of his early-season doldrums. According to a tweet from Heyman, that team could well be the San Diego Padres. Joel Sherman of The New York Post confirmed San Diego’s interest in Canó, likely signing him to a MLB deal if and when it happens.
Can add to Jon's breaking report that the Padres have been among a few teams that have inquired and that Cano is expected to sign a major league deal. https://t.co/r04sNfkva7
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 12, 2022
Where Canó would fit into the San Diego lineup is an interesting question. The Padres currently have Jake Cronenworth at second base, but he is hitting just .214 this season prior to Thursday’s action. After being recalled from Triple-A following a trip to the injured list, Luke Voit is among the main candidates to slot in as San Diego’s designated hitter. Voit is a right-handed batter while Canó hits from the left side, so a platoon situation at designated hitter is a possibility.
At 20-12, the Padres are in the early hunt for a postseason spot despite what has been a very lopsided lineup. Heading into Thursday, Manny Machado was batting .383 and Eric Hosmer was hitting .367. However, production falls off mightily after that, with Cronenworth’s .214 being the next-highest batting average.
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If the Padres ink Canó, it will be a low-cost move that could provide plenty of benefits. Any team that signs Canó will only have to pay him a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum salary in 2022. Meanwhile, after releasing him, the Mets are still on the hook to pay Canó the nearly $45 million remaining on his contract.