The New York Mets designated veteran infielder Robinson Canó for assignment on Monday, still owing him close to $40m.
Teams had until midday on Monday to reduce their rosters to 26 players, and Canó became a casualty after struggling in a part-time role on a team that leads the National League East. Canó had been playing against right-handers, but the Mets signaled their move when they sat Canó in Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zach Eflin.
Technically, the Mets are eating around $37.5 million of Canó's remaining money. They will owe him every cent unless he is released and signs with another team, in which case the Mets will owe him all but the MLB minimum ($700,000 which would be picked up by the signing club).
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 2, 2022
Canó, now 39, is an eight-time All-Star. But he missed all of the 2021 season because of a suspension for a second violation of using performance-enhancing drugs and is batting .195 (8-for-41) in 12 games with one home run and three RBIs.
Manager Buck Showalter said on Sunday before the Mets’ victory over the Phillies that sitting Canó was the right decision.
“It’s tough, and I’m very empathetic to that,” Showalter said. “But we’re trying to win a baseball game tonight. There’s a lot of things, we’ve taken in a lot of factors, and what gives you the best chance to win a baseball game. That’s the tiebreaker always.”
Canó has 2,632 career hits, placing him third on the list for most hits among active players behind Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, both members of the 3,000-hit club. A five-time winner of the Silver Slugger award, he has 335 career home runs and 1,305 RBIs in 2,246 games with the New York Yankees (2005-2013), Seattle Mariners (2014-18) and Mets. He appeared to be headed for the Hall of Fame until his PED suspensions.
He signed a 10-year, $240m deal with the Mariners in December 2013, and the Mariners traded him to the Mets in December 2018 as part of a six-player swap that has proven unpopular with Mets fans. In May 2018, MLB suspended Canó for 80 games for his first violation of PED rules. In all, he forfeited more than $34m in salary because of the suspensions.
The Mets also optioned right-handed pitcher Yoan Lopez to Triple-A Syracuse to bring the roster to the mandated 26 players.
Canó’s agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, was the Mets’ general manager when the player was traded from Seattle said his client still wants to play. He added that Canó “understands [the Mets] had a tough decision to make. He wishes them well going forward.”
The Mets now have seven days to trade Canó, which is unlikely given his diminished abilities and the fact that he is owed more than $20m this year and next. If he is released, any team can pick him up for the MLB minimum salary, with the Mets paying the rest. That is not likely to be a problem for the Mets, who are owned by Steve Cohen, one of the wealthiest people in America.