Mets Complete Deal With Seattle for Cano

The controversial trade between the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners that was rumored for the past week is now official. Second baseman Robinson Cano and reliever Edwin Diaz are indeed heading to New York to be part of the Mets.

In return the Mets will ship outfielder Jay Bruce, and relievers Anthony Swarzack and Gerson Bautista, as well as the Mets third and fourth ranked prospects Jared Kelenic and Justin Dunn to Seattle.

The Mets will absorb 80 percent of Cano’s contract, or more specifically $100 million, while the Mariners will pitch in $20 million.

This move has left a lot of Mets fans feeling blue this Christmas season, with many feeling the Mets were fleeced by the Mariners who were just trying to dump a huge salary.

The Mets meanwhile, feel they are in position to contend this year, but you have to wonder at what cost.

 Cano comes to Queens at 36-years old, a year removed from being suspended for 80 games due to steroid use. While he still hit well, a .303 batting average, 10 homers and 50 RBI on the year, the Mariners played their best baseball when Cano wasn’t in the lineup. From May 14 to August 14, the Mariners were 47-34 and right in the thick of the AL West race.

This is not to say it was Cano’s fault they didn’t make the playoffs, but he certainly wasn’t a game changer either.

How much Cano has left will tell the tale of the tape of this trade. The Mets are taking a big risk with a player well past his prime, who is due $100 million from them over the next five years. Even if the Mets get something out of Cano this year, this won’t end well.

As for Diaz, one has to wonder why the Mariners were so willing to part with a 24-year old pitcher who led all of Major League baseball in saves?  The New York Post reported that Diaz has a bone spur in his right elbow, but the Post confirmed it has never bothered Diaz up to this point. He has also never served any time on the disabled list. (I can hear the cynics now saying that his luck is about to change).

Still Diaz was unbelievable last season, notching 57 saves, an ERA of 1.96 and a WHIP of 0.79. It was a complete reversal of fortune for a guy who really struggled on the mound in 2017.  Who knows what the Mets get from Diaz, but they hope he can be their closer long term. Giving up two top prospects, with big-ticket relievers already on the free agent market is incredibly risky, especially for such a wild card as Diaz.

The true evaluation of this trade can not be made for at least a couple of years, but the fact remains the Mets gave up on two young prospects in Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, wi the latter considered by many to be a budding star.

Considering the Mets gave up top prospects and gave up their leverage, it is impossible to feel the Mets did well here. This is a huge gamble that will define the Brodie Van Wagenen era for years to come.