How. How do you do this? How do you do it once, miss half a season and see your legacy shredded … and then do it AGAIN?
I really can’t believe this, and the guy is likely toast now:
BREAKING: New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and will be suspended for the entire 2021 season, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN. He will forfeit a $24 million salary. News story will be up soon at ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 18, 2020
Cano, 38, was more than underwhelming in his first year with the Mets in 2019 after that massive trade with the Mariners, and then bounced back with a huge 2020 season. Now we’ll always wonder how he did it.
In any case, the news is probably a boon overall to the Mets, who were on the hook for the majority of Cano’s salary in 2021, and can now add it to their stores of cash to spend this offseason. Sure, they’ll have to replace Cano’s bat, but (clearly) he was not a lock to produce at a high level again next year. Jeff McNeil could slide back over to second base, opening a spot at third for a trade or a signing. Maybe the Mets get in on Nolan Arenado? Maybe they get in on Kris Bryant?
Cano, by the way, has two more years on his deal AFTER next year. So that’ll either be awkward, or new Mets owner Steve Cohen will just eat it.