Mets should Just Say to 'NO' to Robinson Cano Deal

Should the Mets trade away Noah Sydnergaard and pursue Robinson Cano?

That is the question that faces the New York Mets right now as the Baseball Winter Meetings fast approach. With the MLB Hot Stove heating up, rumors are running wild that the Mets are considering two potential franchise-defining moves, one that would send stud right-hander Noah Syndergaard out of town, with the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers all rumored destinations.

The other deal would bring in Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz.

Both moves are curious and would run counter to each other. Are the Mets trying to rebuild? Or are they trying to content?

If the Mets were to acquire Cano and Diaz it would send the message to the fan base that the team is trying to compete for a playoff spot this season. So wouldn’t it make sense then to keep Syndergaard around?

At the same time, if the Mets were to trade Syndergaard, it would signal that the front office is willing to blow up the entire team, even if it means trading its top two starting pitchers.

The rumors are leaving Mets fans adrift, wondering what direction the franchise is going in.

The Cano/Diaz deal doesn’t come without some serious caveats. For starters, the Mariners are desperate to rid themselves of Cano’s albatross contact, which has five-years and $120 million remaining on it. Secondly, the Yankees are also involved. Considering the Yankees have a deeper farm system than the Mets do, the Bronx Bombers would be a more realistic trade partner for a Seattle team looking to rebuild.

But let’s say the Mets are go all in on this trade. The apple of the Mets eye would be Diaz, who led all of Major League Baseball in saves with 57, and a 1.96 ERA. The Mets need a closer desperately, and Diaz would give their bullpen instant credibility. However the cost to get him might be way too much.

Logically, the Mets don’t have the top-flight prospects to offer to Seattle for just its closer, unless they are willing to part ways with Peter Alonso or Michael Conforto.

That is why Cano is involved. The Mariners are dangling the aging 36-year-old infielder in order to make the price on Diaz more appetizing for teams.

 MLB Network even projected that the Mets would ship minor leaguers Andres Gimenez and Justin Dunn along with first baseman Dominic Smith and outfielder Jay Bruce to Seattle in order to get Cano, Diaz, and outfielder Mallex Smith as stocking stuffer.

As much as the Mets want Diaz, they should just flat out say ‘NO’ to Cano.  If that means they lose out on Diaz, so be it.

While I am sure Brodie Van Wagenen has an attachment to Cano since he was his client at CAA, adding Cano would create problems for the Mets.

Cano is at that age where a huge drop-off in production typically happens for veterans, and the Mets have certainly seen their fair share of aging veterans suffer huge drop-offs while wearing the Met uniform. Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn and Jason Bay are all examples of former All-Stars who flamed out when they came to Queens.

Cano played in only 80 games last year because of a suspension for PED use. While Cano still hit .303 and drove in 50 runs in 80 games last season, his production from 2016 and 2017 did show a significant dip.

Cano hit .298 with 39 homers and 103 RBI, while playing in 161 games in 2016. The following year, Cano played in only 150 games, hit 23 homers, drove in 97 and hit only .280.

So what player are the Mets getting here? Keep in mind, Cano in Queens would mean he wouldn’t be protected by the Designated Hitter. He will have to play the field ever day for the next four years as he pushes 40. This is a recipe for disaster.

The Mets focus should be on giving young players like Jeff McNeil and Peter Alonso a serious look on the infield. Even if Seattle eats up half of the $24 million Robinson Cano is due each year, this deal is a risk not worth taking.

Not to mention, if the Mets were to make this deal with Seattle, and still trade Syndergaard, ownership would look hypocritical for not paying a 26-year old home grown talent like Thor, while accepting the monster contract that Van Wagenen heaped on the Mariners five years ago.

Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. Keep Sydnergaard and just so “no” to Cano.