Braves Trade for Robinson Canó
On the surface, Robinson Canó as a Brave is one of the last realities I could’ve dreamt up while taking a little tiger snooze. But when I learned of who’s paying him what money, it’s kind of an obvious Alex Anthopoulos move.
After starting his 2022 with the New York Mets, he’s been in the Padres organization for most of the first half of the season. On Sunday, Alex Anthopoulos traded cash considerations to San Diego in exchange for the 39-year old.
The Atlanta Braves are paying Robinson Canó a prorated MLB minimum salary for as long as he’s an Atlanta Brave employee; while the Seattle Mariners & New York Mets are splitting the remainder of his $24 million salary. Prior to being released by New York, the Mets were on the hook for $20.25 million of his $24M while Seattle was responsible for $3.75M.
With the trade price for Canó being cash considerations from Atlanta, most likely that amount is equal to what the Padres paid him this season plus 50ish%.
Alex Anthopoulos hasn’t been the least bit shy about his intentions on bringing in a left-handed bat. Ozzie Albies has been injured & will need plenty more time to rehab before he rejoins the Braves. Meaning Anthopoulos needs to have a fallback at second base should Ozzie have any setbacks. Anthopoulos seemingly prefers to start his search for emergency plug-ins in the misfit pool of players who are considered washed, hurt, or on the decline; examples: Jason Kipnis, Stephen Vogt, Tyler Matzek, Jorge Soler, & Eddie Rosario.
Throw all that together and you’ve got a road map that leads straight to Robinson Canó.
Since Canó’s MLB debut in 2005 with the Yankees, he’s amassed: 2,635 hits, 335 homeruns, 1,306 RBI, & a .301 average.
With the Mets & Padres in 2022, he hit .149 with one homerun in 74 at-bats.
In 96 at-bats with San Diego’s AAA team, he’s hit .333 with three homeruns & an .854 OPS.
Its been reported that he’ll join the Braves as early as Monday, which is not surprising. The front office needs to know right now if second base is an area to address at the Trade Deadline or not.
He’ll likely play second base when Ronald DH’s. I imagine Orlando Arcia will continue to man second base when Ozuna DH’s & Rosario plays LF.
All in all, the Canó addition is a low-risk high-reward move that cost basically nothing. It’s nice to dream of our dangerous lineup with a near-prime form Robinson Canó on top. But a homerun-or-strikeout Robinson Canó is more likely what this will prove to be.
Although, left-handed power surges from past-their-prime players on new teams is on trend right now, see Matt Carpenter with the Yankees.