In his latest piece for The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal suggests that the suspension of second baseman Robinson Cano has implications that could ripple beyond the 2018 season. Dee Gordon is expected to move from center field to second base in the interim, but could remain there even when Cano comes back, according to Rosenthal. At 35, Cano would soon be tabbed for at least part-time DH duties under normal circumstances. However, one thing that’s reportedly been staving off that possibility thus far is Cano’s goal to break Jeff Kent’s all-time record of 377 homers by a second baseman (he’s 73 bombs shy), while yet another factor is the presence of Nelson Cruz in the team’s full-time designated hitter role.
Both of those factors may not be of such significant impact next season, Rosenthal writes. Cruz has the potential to depart as a free agent after 2018, and the Mariners may not be so inclined to give Cano room in dictating his position following his violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Program. Cano, as readers probably know by now, received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a diuretic used to mask another performance-enhancing drug. That suspension will also prevent him from taking part in the postseason, which is a significant blow to a contending Mariners club.
Ideally, then, the Mariners’ objective should be to find a full-time center fielder or left fielder they can retain for multiple seasons, says Rosenthal. Such a player would effectively lock Gordon into second base for the foreseeable future, while pushing the aging Cano into a first base/designated hitter role in the latter years of his contract. Rosenthal lists Adam Duvall as a possible target for Seattle, but adds the disclaimer that the club has one of the worst farm systems in baseball and might have a difficult time acquiring the young left-fielder from Cincinnati.
On the other hand, as Bob Dutton of klay1180.com points out, it might be in the Mariners’ interests as a contender to keep Gordon in center field for the time being, unless the team can find a way to keep him at second even after Cano returns this season; a scenario that seems highly implausible with the presence of Cruz and Ryon Healy on the roster. Still, it’s hard to tell what the Mariners will do after half a season’s worth of games. From my perspective, it’s worth noting that the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline will have already come and gone by the time Cano is eligible to take the field again.
Following a series of disclaimers (including that guessing GM Jerry Dipoto’s potential targets is a “fool’s game”), Dutton lists some players who might be available at this year’s deadline, according to his sources. One obvious name is Adam Jones, who’s in the final year of his contract with an Orioles club that’s off to a disastrous 14-30 start. Other center fielders mentioned in Dutton’s blog entry include Billy Hamilton, Jon Jay and Denard Span, though on the surface none of those additions would seem worthy of forcing Cano into a role with reduced playing time.
More interesting is the pair of second baseman mentioned by Dutton. Scooter Gennett looks primed to repeat the surprise power numbers he put up with Cincinnati last season, and is controllable through 2019. Whit Merrifield, who can also play in the outfield, would be a longer-term piece and undoubtedly more difficult to acquire. In fact, I’d add that either target seems far fetched considering the Mariners’ lack of impact talent in the minor leagues.
Whatever the situation, it will certainly be interesting to see how Cano and the Mariners are impacted in 2018 and beyond. The club’s interest in contending this year and questions surrounding the roles of Gordon and Cano moving forward create an interesting juxtaposition, and it will be fascinating to watch Dipoto and co. attempt to solve the puzzle.
Unless Gordon requested to go back to second why would they mess with a guy that was basically forced to change positions? Just leave him where he’s at.
I agree, I think if Seattle made a move it should be to get scooter. I would say Jed, but they can’t offer enough for his worth.
They can’t offer enough for what Jed Lowrie is worth but you thunk they can snag Gennett? I think Scooter would cost more than Jed
Scooter is one of the best hitters in the national league the last two years slugging wise and having a great year already, so yeah Cincinnati isn’t giving him away.
I like Scooter a lot and believe this may be the Mariners most realistic option. Even with a skeleton farm system. Would be a huge and immediate contributer. Good idea for not just the short but long time solution.
Cincinnati may not have much of a choice since they are definitely sellers not buyers by the way they’ve started the season. Although there has been a glimmer of hope lately to sort of salvage this season, my take is took take advantage of teams with tons of prospects like the Yankees and Cardinals.
They’re moving Gordon to 2B to give Heredia a shot in CF.
Why this post doesn’t even mention Heredia I don’t understand.
I couldn’t agree more. Instead of the Mariner’s #4 option in the outfield, he would start on a dozen of other MLB squads. Especially with his upcoming talent and athleticism.
Probably because Gordon is struggling defensively in CF and is a natural gold Glover at 2B. Go for a outfielder or pitching depth.
The reason is because the Mariners have a lot more MLB ready outfielders than infielders. They’re only option besides Gordon at 2nd is Andrew Romine. A utility infielder that’s alright coming off the bench but definitely not a realistic day to day or option over the next few months.
My suggestion is for GM Jerry Dipoto to pull the trigger on a trade that would send #1 prospect Kyle Lewis and #5 prospect Max Provse to Baltimore for Manny Machado. When Cano returns, move him to 1st, Gordon at 2nd, Machado at short, and keep Seager at 3rd. This will give the Mariners arguably the best 1-9 batting order in all of baseball.
Where would Segura play if we got Machado?
Also, Lewis/Povse wouldn’t even sniff Machado.
More unlikely that Cano would get his 3 spot back in the lineup with Hanigar’s production than 2nd base.
Watch him opt out & go to Boston.
He has $120M reasons NOT to opt out.
Which team would possibly offer a 36 year old who just got suspended for PEDs a $50M contract, nevermind one for over $120M
Is there an opt out clause? giving up $25 million times 5 seems unlikely
Hadn’t even checked.
No opt out. So – if Seattle was thinking on trading him this offseason, they’d either have to find another team who is severely overpaying someone, or simply eat $75M plus. JMO.
Ellsbury for Cano straight up lol
Please god no, I’d rather have ellsbury right now
No opt out in contract
Time to contact Miami
You can have Keon Broxton
They aren’t going to trade for an expensive veteran and they are going to look at leftfielders most likely. Heredia will take over CF fuultime. What their focus will be is the bullpen.
Jones and Scoops to Mariners for boatload of prospects.
Mariners don’t have prospects, let along a boatload
Hey they didn’t say good ones. They might have a small cruise ship full of low level prospects plus a player to be named later.
and they don’t need both. Where would Dee Gordon play?
Jones is a season rental, but he wants to be on the west coast, so Seattle could be a good fit. However at his age he should probably make a move to left field. Scoops is signed through 2019
It would fit Seattle’s model of bringing back aging outfielders whom they let get away (Ichiro, Griffey).
Pass on both
Tampa Bay might be willing to move Kiermaier with Mallex Smith playing well in CF. TB is rebuilding and Kiermaier has been injury prone. Heredia is a fine #4 OF but not sure he’s a full time level CF’er. Kiermaier signed a long term deal through 2023 & the Rays might look to get out of that deal like they did with Longoria. Seattle has little to offer when it comes to prospects though. Dipoto can be inventive and is motivated to move now as opposed to later.
Both Mariners and Rays should be open to that idea.
What do you think it would take? I’m personally a huge fan of Kiermaier and I have to imagine the price would be high.
What about trading for Joey Wendle? Guy can hit and probably wont cost a lot to get
Is there even any indication that Cano will need to move off second anytime soon? I didn’t se any mention of his defensive stats declining.
This seems like a non-story. You want to keep the premium hitter at second as long as you can, and sure you add a good outfielder if possible since you don’t have a lot of people entrenched there.
Jon Jay in CF? he’s horrible in every way.
Hey Seattle, go get Bourjos out of Atlanta’s minors. He can play an above avg CF and bat 9th for you. Good shirt term answer.
Heredia is better
Much, much better…
Love Pete but the list of teams for which he couldn’t justify a roster spot is pretty long at this point. The idea that he would be suitable for a full-time (1-9) lineup role is magical thinking.
Besides, Dipoto already traded him away once.
He was traded because of Trout and injuries. He is absolutely tearing up AAA pitching right now. He has nothing to prove at AAA, so if he can’t land at least a bench role in the majors, then it’s time to retire.
Cano looked extremely good at 2nd this season watching him every game, and had 3 DRS. I don’t know if they need to move him, but, it may be worth exploring. It all depends on if they bring Nelson back, because he’s been the M’s best player since the start of 2015, and an amazing clubhouse guy. It’ll be interesting.
36-year-old Yuniesky Betancourt already has 11 HR with a .374/.394/.612 slash in 48 Mexican League games so far this year.
Half trolling, half wondering if the prospect-strapped M’s could squeeze 40-50 better games out of Betancourt at 2B than they’d get from any of their in-house 2B options not named Dee Gordon.
Worth a shot IMO. Throw him in the fire for a month and see what happens.
Get the Yankees to pay 0% of Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract. To get a better prospect, since you have cap room, pay most of it this year and get him for free in the outer years. Jacoby is from the northwest, he might rebound out there. The relief will help the Yankees this year to get their target guy and stay under the cap. Win/ Win. I hate the Yankees, but I think it makes sense.
There should be an opt out clause in contracts for players who fail drug test. Forget Cano, move on without him….really surprised they let Goodell go with all the pitchers that are struggling this year….really need to shore up the middle of the bullpen!
My bad. Referring back to my earlier post, I meant to say that by moving Lewis and Provse to Baltimore for Machado, my suggestion is to have (after Cano returns) Cano at 1st, Segura at 2nd, Machado at short, and keep Seager at 3rd. This will enable the M’s to move Gordon back center till the postseason. Only because Cano will be unable to play.
And bench Healy? A guy who hasn’t popped hot on stupid?
Since Cano can’t help us in the playoffs, I’d rather he ride the bench the rest of the year.
Cruz will be gone by the trading deadline. I’d have Healy DH. Problem solved. Switch time with Cano at 1st depending on the Mariners facing a left or righthanded starter.
Jackie Bradley Junior for James Paxton straight up
I’d even take Dan Altavilla for JBJ and cash.
Any Red Sox fan would