Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano spoke to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times and refuted a report from earlier this offseason which cited a source “close to Cano” that said his preference was to return to the Yankees because he was unhappy in Seattle. “I never said that,” Cano explained. “I don’t know where they find it. They always say the source or friend. … I will tell you guys, I’m happy to be here and happy to get my chance here to be able to play to the end of my career and have fun with the guys and a city that has treated me so nice.” Cano added that he feels “98 percent” after undergoing surgery to repair two hernias that plagued him over the final months of the 2015 season. Cano is swinging a bat without pain and is able to run as well. “There are days the doctor said you’ll wake up and feel some tightness,” said Cano. “That is part of the process.”
More from the AL West…
- While many Rangers fans are somewhat panicked about the club’s left field situation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reminds that Texas is in a considerably better spot with regards to left field than it was a year ago at this time. The Rangers entered Spring Training with a wide-open competition in left field last season, but Josh Hamilton “should be back by May 1,” and the Rangers have a solid platoon option in the form of Justin Ruggiano on the roster to help lighten his load. Texas also has a healthy Ryan Rua and non-roster invitee Drew Stubbs as options in left, and top prospects Lewis Brinson and Nomar Mazara are closer to the Majors than they were a year ago. Either of the two could conceivably become an option down the line.
- In a separate piece yesterday, Grant reported that the Rangers have spoken to the agents for David Murphy and Austin Jackson, though that was before the club added Stubbs on a minor league deal this morning.
- The Astros enter camp with six starting pitchers but only five rotation spots, writes Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle in a column highlighting their crowded rotation and bullpen scenes. Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, Doug Fister, Mike Fiers and Scott Feldman already make for somewhat of a logjam, but the bullpen doesn’t offer many open spots, either. Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek, Tony Sipp, Will Harris and Josh Fields all appear to have short relief spots locked down, leaving one spot for a disposed starter and other candidates like Brad Peacock, Dan Straily and Asher Wojciechowski. As Drellich points out, Straily is out of minor league options, so he’d need to be exposed to waivers before the team could send him to Triple-A.
Man, wouldn’t Keuchel be the answer to Baltimore’s problem? He would be the lefty and ace they need desperately. Problem is they couldn’t trade every one of their prospects for a pitcher the caliber of Keuchel. Because, their farm is in such disarray and Houston would be foolish to let him go, anyway.
My money is on Fister becoming the longman if he doesn’t get some of his velocity back this spring.
Keuchel is overrated, lots of pitchers have a breakout year than don’t ever get close to repeating
Just like overrated underachieving Mariners who’ve had a revolving door to the managers office. Pot, meet kettle
Keuchel’s breakout year was 2014. And he didn’t just come close to repeating his results from that year, he drastically improved on them in 2015 by increasing his strikeouts and decreasing his walks, all while keeping the ball in the yard and pitching a ton of innings. If you think Keuchel isn’t for real, you’re fooling yourself.
In no way is Keuchel overrated. He would be the ace on almost every team in the majors.
Guys Keuchel is Super Overrated. All he did was go 15-0 in the band box they call Minute Maid Park. He was also the only one to make Kansas City look foolish in the playoffs. With 100 Miles Giles they won’t do another Game 4 again.
Guys Keuchel is Super Overrated. All he did was go 15-0 in the band box they call Minute Maid Park.
The continually leads the AL in weak contact and ground ball rate. There is no fluke about Dallas Keuchel.
Keuchel is coming off a Cy Young year, I highly doubt that he is fighting for a rotation spot. If he is, the Astros are doing it wrong.
Justin Ruggiano thinks he should be an everyday player and is a clubhouse cancer. Can’t see how he could be “solid” in any way. The M’s were desperate for RH hitting and parted ways as quickly as they could. They were lucky to be able to bring up Franklin Gutiérrez who could be the FA steal 2 years in a row.
The Astros could easily employ a 6 man rotation for the first month or two of the season. Injuries are bound to happen so just keep the short bullpen for a while then just wait for the first injury to happen and put things back to normal with 5 starters.
Having watched Cano in person and on TV I certainly would not want young kids to idolize him or his play. His attitude leaves a lot to be desired especially his showboating defense when he makes plays not in the best effort of a major league ball player. I can’t believe his teammates or management would put up with this. Prima Donna comes to mind…
I don’t think that’s entirely fair, and I watched him since he came up with the Yankees. He’s such a natural, so graceful, his hands so fast, that it doesn’t always look like he’s working hard. He’s probably a future HOF.
Young kids should look up to there Parents, not someone they never met or had any interaction with. You come across as jealous
When everything comes that natural to a player they are allowed to “showboat” as long as they make the play. Like you even said he makes plays. He didn’t get paid $200 million for no reason, he’s a natural at what he does and doesn’t have to give 110% to make plays. You’re probably a Yankee fan that’s still mad he left.
Steve, the wrong josh fields is linked.
And josh fields is a very under appreciated part of that bull pen. His stats aren’t terribly overwhelming, but man does he pass the eye test.