July 11: The New York Post’s Jon Heyman tweets that the Braves are planning to add Cano to the roster today in advance off their series against Cano’s former Mets teammates.
July 10: The Braves have acquired infielder Robinson Cano from the Padres for cash considerations, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Twitter link).
After being released by the Mets in May, Cano signed a big league deal with the Padres soon thereafter, but was then released again after he turned down the team’s request to go to Triple-A. Cano’s veteran status gave him the right to opt into free agency, but after checking his options on the open market, he re-signed with San Diego on a minor league deal.
Since reporting to Triple-A El Paso, Cano has hit well, posting a .333/.375/.479 slash line over 104 plate appearances. While obviously the minor league setting (and hitter-friendly environment) have to be taken into account, Cano’s performance does give some hint that he still has something left in the tank at age 39, and after missing the entire 2021 season due to a PED suspension. Cano batted only .149/.182/.189 over 77 combined PA with the Padres and Mets at the MLB level this season.
The Braves obviously saw something they liked, and will now bring Cano back to the NL East to see if he can revive his career. Atlanta has developed a knack for striking gold on struggling veterans, and it was only a year ago that the club picked up several such players (i.e. Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall) who ended up fueling their run to the World Series title. As poor as Cano looked earlier this season in New York, Mets fans must have some trepidation over Cano suddenly catching fire and helping Atlanta overtake the Mets in the NL East.
Atlanta is thin on left-handed hitting, and there is a vacancy at second base since Ozzie Albies will be out until at least mid-August while recovering from foot surgery. On paper, Cano is an interesting platoon fit alongside the right-handed hitting Orlando Arcia at second base, and another righty swinger in Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter.
It wasn’t long ago that Cano was still among the game’s most feared bats, as he posted an .896 OPS over 182 PA for the Mets during the shortened 2020 season. While his positive PED test inevitably casts some doubt upon those numbers, there isn’t much risk for Atlanta in picking up Cano to see what he can contribute. Of the $24MM owed to Cano for the 2022 season, the Braves will have to cover just the prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary once Cano hits the active roster, as the Mariners ($3.75MM) and Mets are covering the rest.
The Padres actually received something in return?
He does not look like a relief pitcher to me!
We don’t need a relief pitcher, we need a left handed bat that can come off the bench and play 2B if and when needed. Other than maybe another starting pitcher, it’s truly our only need until Ozzie comes back
The problem with your logic is he isn’t really good at 2B anymore, and isn’t really a bat either.
Why?
Guessing that the Braves aren’t happy with the production from second base and need a left handed hitter.
Not sure that I would have done this if I was a general manager but you get a audition with Cano for basically nothing prior to the trade deadline.
Arcia and Gossellin. That’s why.
Is it April 1st and we time traveled backwards?
Guess that takes ATL out of the Gallo sweepstakes. Think it’s going to cost them.
There was a “Gallo Sweepstakes”?
Wouldn’t that be like winning a half-eaten bologna sandwich?
@Appalachian, half-eaten bologna sandwich? That’s putting a positive spin on it!
Fried bologna. Yummy
Gallo merely another victim of the NYC nightlife, right along with Sonny Gray.
Like Gray, Gallo will return to prior greatness after a trade. NYC is simply just too much for a lot of guys. Gotta be a real homebody to play in that city.
Has Gallo been Tommy Phamming it after games?
Sources?
Bro, when he was here in SD dude got himself stabbed at a shady “gentleman’s” club in a trash part of town. Not the Ghetto, it has way more class than this part of town. Our Ghettos have million dollar homes.
No, Stud, he just made it up.
One of the best analogies I’ve seen on here couldn’t have thought of something better myself
Dont you dare disparage the good name of bologna samdwiches
Atlanta already has more outfielders than it knows what to do with.
Smacky’s right. We don’t need another OF.
As for A’sfan’s suggestion, I have never bought that reason for players not doing well in NY. You can say that for any player that doesn’t do well as a Yankee. The example of Sonny Gray is actually a bad one. He was traded to the Yankees in 2017 and pitched pretty well; 65 IP, 3.72 ERA over 11 starts. He simply had a bad 2018 season just as he’d had other bad seasons in Oakland and later in Cincinnati.
Yankee fans hated Sonny Gray just as much as they did Ed Whitson.
SalaryCap, I have it on good authority (directly from a former Vanderbilt teammate who remains friends with Gray) that Sonny Gray was never comfortable in New York but it had nothing to do with the nightlife as the other poster mentioned. Gray is from Tennessee. He was coming from playing in Oakland which wasn’t/isn’t exactly a hotspot for baseball fandom, at least at the stadium itself, and Oakland itself is pretty built up but it’s not New York City by any stretch. After the trade Gray didn’t like being in a massive city and he never became comfortable with any of it. It was more of a mental thing than anything else, he just never adjusted. From what I’ve also heard his teammates mostly liked him so it wasn’t like it was an attitude thing, he just never got comfortable. I’m not going to say I know the same is true of Gallo but it doesn’t seem like a massive stretch: the guy is in a lower pressure environment in Texas on some bad teams and is thrust into an environment where fans expect the team to go 162-0 and the players to deliver at their perceived level of ability. Gallo knows that, he feels that, and so when he sputters off to a tough start what happens? Some guys rebound (look at progression of Aaron Hicks’ numbers this year or look at the bounce back Gleyber Torres is having) while some guys dig themselves deeper into the hole. Gallo has made ZERO adjustments at the plate all year. That to me screams baseball mental issue, not nightlife distraction issue.
And for what it’s worth regarding the “nightlife” piece, most of these guys live in absurdly insulated suburbs on the New York/Connecticut border that have zero nightlife whatsoever.
That’s like Met fans not understanding why deGrom would want to go to Atl if those rumors turn out to be true. Of course I wamt him to retire as a Met, but Deland is 6 hours from Atlanta, GA taxes are way less than NY taxes and the cost of living is significantly less. For what you pay for a condo in NYC, pick any borough, you could afford an apartment in Atlanta and a beautiful home on a nice lot/acreage 2 hours away. Plus, you het away from New Yorkers.
But if there is one thing that is worse in Atlanta than it is in NY, it’s traffic. Don’t tell me no. I’m a truck driver, and driven in both. A 2 hr commute in ATL is about 10 miles in real distance at certain times of day.
I didn’t know Gallo played 2B.
Stove is hot!
For 2012, sure.
Why?
No risk, minimum salary player for the braves and if he preforms great. If not then he’s cut loose no problem.
Okay but for him come to Majors who goes down or gets released??
Mike Ford or Gosselin
Ford goes down Monday when Adam Duvall is back.
I mean, really, let’s not rush Duvall. He could take the rest of the season off and only be SLIGHTLY less productive than he has been.
There are plenty of other players who are “no risk” as well. Why him?
They’re gonna ask him what the greatest fear of each Met player is and then make that nightmare reality for each guy in this upcoming series.
That might actually be a really good point. He knows the players and might have insight into weak spots. I didn’t think of that.
Along with no risk, He’s also no cost.
Also could use a 2nd baseman.
Yes!
Thought I’d go against the crowd.
I I’m not sure I like this move. I guess we’ll see. I’ve never been a big fan of cheaters.
WTF!!! Why?????????????????
The Pads were smart to send him to hitter super-friendly El Paso
The entire Triple-A West league (PCL) is hitter-friendly.
I think that is the entire point of Brewer’s suggestion, it was smart to place him in the best position to succeed and become bait.
.333/3HR/20RBI & R in 98 ABs
Right on
Noooooooooooo
Why not? Absolutely nothing to lose but with a slim chance of catching lightning in a bottle.
And against the Mets…!
It will be interesting with Canó on the Braves’ side and Inciarte on the Mets, but neither should be a major factor. However, both could get some PT. For Inciarte, McNeil’s going on paternity leave and Marte’s day-to-day. He could be dropped, though, if Jankowski is ready to return.
He will get a reprieve for a few days with McNeil on the paternity list – long enough for one revenge moment against his old team.
Not sure anyone saw this coming!
Did you want to see it coming?
Also, Cano is singing, I Left my Heart in San Diego
More like El Paso.
Why?????????????
Yeah this is a headscratcher for me. I don’t quite get this one other than making the Mets pay twofold.
Eh, it’s a low cost gamble, like putting a nickel in a slot machine. You know the odds are you’re going to lose but you’re also not really out anything when you do.
If it hits though, hey…
The question through is who goes down? Who does he replace? Only one not doing that great would be Heredia but he brings so much with positive vibes that could mess up a club house
Gosselin, I would imagine.
The Braves are probably hoping Cano hits like he has at AAA, giving them a productive LH bat at 2nd to PH and spell Arcia some.
Probably Gosselin goes back down.
This is the most shocked I have been with the Braves since they traded David Justice to the Indians in mid 1990s;
I don’t see a fit for him at the MLB Level; who goes down for him to come up. Does he take at bats away from Ozuna at DH?
Only way this makes sense is if we see Orland Acaica or Phil Gosselin going on the injured list and a short audition for Cano during that time before the trade deadline.
Cano will likely platoon with Arcia … unless he doesn’t hit at all .. They will probably send Gosselin out .
Cano will have grudges to settle when the Braves see the Mets MONDAY NIGHT.
I’ll be there hopefully I’ll see him play
My question be who goes down to allow Cano to come to the majors??
One of the many trash/marginal players on the Braves bench and fringy part of the roster. Gosselin and Ford are the definition of replacement level.
Don’t understand the fear of him taking at bats from players. He will be taking reps from Arcia, Gosselin, and the rare Ford PH. All of which are very questionable MLBers in their own right.
Either Mike Ford or Phil Gosselin
Gosselin I would think .
The cash considerations are going to the Braves. “Here’s $200, plus extra for tolls and dump fees.”
I could be wrong, but I believe it literally may be a dollar as long as he’s going to a major league club when the Friars only had him on a minor league deal.
It actually is a fairly common occurrence: syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2102626-brad-mi…
Hopefully for his sake one of his current PED providers has contacts in Atlanta, it would make that whole move so much easier for him.
This move makes perfect sense as it’s the only thing the Braves desperately need at the moment, a left handed bat that can play 2nd until Ozzie returns. Even then, he might be a solid bench vet option for the remainder of the season.
Problem is, I still hate it. He’s a chronically proven cheater… I don’t love Ozuna being on the roster nor cano. Rather have higher character guys
Didn’t the Braves front office get banned from baseball for cheating? Yeah those individuals are gone, but they are still owned by the same people. And a lot of the people there now were trained by “cheaters.” So maybe get off your high horse and realize that just about everyone cheats in some way or another, but only some get caught.
@hiflew. Maybe you could get the facts right before chastising people to get off their high horse? The owners had nothing to do with it. Atlanta is owned by a corporation that doesn’t care to involve itself with the daily operations of the team. John Copalella was drummed out of baseball for the offense. The FO has had a complete turn over since that time. But hey, it’s always nice having someone on these boards behaving like the ethics police.
Hiflew is an Astros fan, so…
Bham is obviously new here if he thinks I am an Astros fan.
Rather have Arcia @ 2B defensively even if he never got another hit…
I think you misspelled ‘white guys’
Smacky, if you equate “high character” with “white” that’s entirely on you. Look in the mirror before you come around here to cause unnecessary trouble.
That went way over your head!
Perhaps. Even if it was a joke of some sort (which I don’t care to understand) it’s inappropriate.
Agreed Cosmo. If it’s a joke it’s not a good one by a mile and certainly not in good taste.
Stop with the “we need a 2b”. Arcia is enough until Ozzie gets back.
Apparently Atlanta management doesn’t agree with your assessment.
Cano > Arcia are you joking???
So does this mean Cano won’t be wearing a Padres cap to his HOF enshrinement in 2055?
Hes not already in?
Gross…
Braves will pay with fish tacos.
They’re getting ripped off
AJP warming up…he better heat up after this beat down we got today 12-0.. Hijole!
One word: why?
That seems to be the theme here
Why am I the only one who likes this lol
I can’t fathom the angst from Braves fans over this nothingburger of a move but okay then.
Cano brings nothing in my opinion compared to what we have.
I guess the only thing is if they activate him Monday and let him play and he fails within the first 6-7 games with the all star break when coming it would give Atlanta a week to figure the next move.
Everyone in here including me will change our tunes if Cano could be productive. Guess only way to find out is give him some at bats maybe the Nationals series and see what happens.
The Braves did many moves in 2021 that I would have never done and we got a World Series championship so Alex is allowed a free errors in my opinion
Cano’s not occupying a 40 man spot currently.
I’m not angsty. Lol
I get the people who are upset over the acquiring a cheater side of it, but I don’t understand all the general “why” questions.
Atlanta is righty heavy, it’s a low risk trade, they gave up nothing and the guy was hitting well in AAA
Right? Lol. Odds this move will turn out to be a bust like Jose Bautista back in 2018 are high, but you never know with baseball. The cost is nonexistent, besides Gosselin losing his job.
Canos odds of getting a World Series ring this year are through the freaking roof!
What a crazy world
Low risk. Low reward. Nothing burger.
I’ve lost a little respect for AA over this.
I swear, the dramatics on here. If he sucks, it literally cost you next to nothing. If you catch lighting in a bottle here, AA looks like pretty smart. Forget your personal bias here, because EVERY team employees players who have been caught cheating. Hell, the Astros employed like 25 at one time.
He literally won us a world series with his trades last season, drafted Harris and Strider and kept most of our team together. And you are gonna whine about a move for a bench bat that literally cost us nothing at all. Go take a mydol and go to bed.
There is no risk but a possible reward, if he doesn’t add to lineup, cut him
Who didn’t see this coming. $#$%^ing Braves. Hate this team. F them signing him just in time for their series. I hope Max puts one in his ear. I fear a Cano resurgence because this is often how these things goes.
Why would Max throw at Cano? What exactly did Cano do to the Mets?
You hope another human gets hit in the ear with a baseball? What a dirtbag. It’s just baseball, you tool.
I’m pretty sure Max and Robbie are friends but whatever, like Roy says, you’re a tool.
Subtraction by addition
He will hit a walk-off homerun on wednesday to complete a 3-game sweep of the overachieving Mets.
You’re an idiot. I know I’ve told you that before, and I know about 600 others have told you that too, but I just didn’t want you to forget. Carry on worrying more about the Mets than your own team.
From the writers and sports guys on the radio around San Diego, Robinson Cano was a good clubhouse guy.
The curse is broken
Small sample size aside but he has been crushing the ball since june 24th with a 145 wrc+ and a .200+ ISO. Still babip fueled but there’s probably something left in the tank. It could be that consistent playing time helped him out in shaking off some of the rust.
In the minors? Who cares? If it’s in the majors it must be a reaaaallly small sample size. But my luck he’ll pull a Matt Carpenter.
Sad the Cano continues to debase himself rather than retire with a bit of dignity.
So you’d retire instead of collect 10 million dollars?
Debase himself by doing his job?
I think dignity went out the window a few years ago
Roy was on fire!!!! As others said having a lefty bat that plays 2nd is the reason the Braves are willing to take a flyer on the guy. Once Ozzie is healthy they should bring him along with caution so he can be ready for Sept/Oct.
Padres, LOL
Everyone but the Yankees was sure Matt Carpenter was done. The Braves have a smart organization. Maybe they see something in Cano now that he’s been hitting regularly.
I thought the Braves might go for Nicky Lopez but this is cheaper.
I dont get this move at all . Former GG Yolmer Sanchez (switch hitter, .797 OPS at AAA) is playing at Worcester for the Red Sox. He’s just spinning his wheels there, I would think, Atlanta couldve pried him away for a low level prospect.
@MudyChicken
They don’t give up anyone and they’re getting a career .300 hitter. I prefer them doing that than giving up prospects, the risk is worth it, and that’s why AA is such an excellent GM.
“.300 hitter” That doesnt describe his play this year, or the fact he was suspended for the entire ’20 season. Hes gotten 74 ABs the past 2 years. Theres just better options out there, is all Im saying.
You obviously can’t comprehend why they want a LH bat and a good career situational hitter, and a good hitter with runners on.. The .300 part is just a fact, I didn’t say he’s going to hit .300, but do try to read slowly what I said. There is little risk in this move.
The guy I mentioned is a ‘switch hitter’ that means he hits both LH and RH. Who’s not taking the time to read whose post? Wow! Sanchez is a much better left handed bat than right. I didn’t just throw a rando out there.
You used career batting average as your ‘go to’, to explain the pickup. I didn’t write that you did. That is ridiculously simple minded when assessing the future of a player, especially one at the tail end of his career, who currently holds an OPS+ of 8.
Sure, in a vacuum. In reality, .300 LH hitters don’t just grow on trees.
Vacuums exist in reality.
But does reality exist in a vacuum?
@Chicken
Can you get a clue, why would the Braves give up something for a guy that strikes out 25% of the time and has hardly hit over .250 in his career. You need to eat more chicken and more brain power food.
This is a good move, he’s a LH bat, he’s a career 300 hitter, and the fact is he’s an excellent situational hitter and an excellent hitter with runners on base, go check his splits. I am not saying he’ll go and light up Truist, but it’s a good move with little risk. Arcia has played tremendous 2nd base but is inconsistent with the bat. Cano will get some time at 2nd base, and he’ll fit right in with the other hombres Ozuna, Heredia, Acuna, Rosario, etc. People that do not understand this move have no clue.
you keep hanging your hat on him being a “career .300 hitter” without mentioning that he’s only a .260 hitter since the beginning of 2019 (and only has 682 PAs in those 4 season because…well, you know).
I don’t think it’s the worst move in the world to take a flyer on a guy to see if he’s got any juice left, but Cano looks toast. An OPS+ of 8, 21 Ks in 77 PAs between his two stops this year, and somehow managed to rack up -1..1 WAR in the 24 games he’s played (a miraculous -7.4 WAR/162 GP pace!) Albies has been hurt since mid-June – hell, if they wanted an ex-Met so bad they should’ve gone after Jonathan Villar when he was cut loose by the Cubs! At least he’s still got some wheels.
Yea his career stats are entirely irrelevant
Cosmo2
Yes it’s “entirely irrelevant” because experience counts for nothing at this level. You’re another one with no clue about the game of baseball.
Cano went 2-3, yes, it is one game, but he played as well as he could. Cano gives Snitker options, and no, it is not entirely irrelevant at all.
dannibalcorpse
You better eat some toast. Yes, it’s one game but some of you guys don’t have a clue.
i mean, he literally went 2-3 for the Mets on Opening Day this year before going 9-71 with 21 Ks in his next 23 games between the Mets and Padres, so remind yourself what a small sample size is before you get too excited about the Robbie Cano Experience.
And again, this is a 39 year old guy we’re talking about. He’s had a great career and I think talking about him being a .300 hitter is important in that context, but when we’re talking about the 2022 season what he’s done recently is more important – and what he’s done since 2019 is do his best to end his career as a “below .300 hitter’ – .260/.305/.432 slash line that’s bouyed by a strong 49 games in the COVID season. He hasn’t played regularly since the end of 2020 because of the suspension, and I think it definitely shows.
Again, I never said it was a bad idea to take a flyer on a guy when he literally costs you nothing but the opportunity. I just think that he looks totally done and one game where he hits a couple singles out of the 9 hole isn’t gonna erase the other 77 PAs he had coming into tonight with.
@dannibalcorpse
What I suggest you do is go and have a look at his game logs when he played on consecutive days. Do you understand why the Braves signed him? They scouted him and he was getting hits with good contact.
I am still not saying he’s going to hit above average, but he makes good contact, and as I said previously he works the count mostly and he’s a good situational hitter and he’s experienced, something that is hard to find. When he played on consecutive days with the Metros he got hits, it was when he started playing every other day ie every 2nd day when he started going 0-, so the thing is with most hitters, you need to stay in the groove, maybe you do not understand this. It is not easy to play, sit on the pine, play, it can mess with timing and hitting mechanics, and especially for a guy like Cano who is 39 and who has been an everyday player for the majority of his career.
Braves trading for rejects lol.
@theodore glass
Yes, but he’s a career .300 hitter, excellent situational hitter, LH bat, and excellent with runners on.. Small risk for the Braves, and they lose nothing by taking that risk.
Well at the time last year Duvall, Rosario, Soler and Joc were seen as rejects so dont question AA hes earned the respect of all of baseball as the best GM in baseball.
Minor league deal.
Did I miss something? Does it say anywhere that Cano will immediately step into the Braves lineup?
He is on a minor league deal so they have no obligation to call him up at all.
It cost them nothing except some pocket change to get Cano from the Padres as insurance that neither Gosselin nor Arcia start to play better.
Until that time its bus time for Cano.
This comment didn’t age well. C’mon man. You know they didn’t acquire him to stash at AAA….
Enjoyed watching him play for the Chihuahuas. Say what you will about the guy but I appreciate that he just wants to play. Not getting anything out of it anymore. Seems to be playing because he enjoys it.
You seem to be a logical padres fan. Drop the bitter!
What does “logical” have to do with condoning and rewarding a proven cheater? He was caught and suspended twice in less than three years. He already had his second chance and blew it.
This feels like another Rosario, Pederson, Soler deal that’ll pay off for the Braves.
If Cano comes in and has even just one big hit to help the Braves win a game against the Mets over the next few days it will all be worth it for the Braves
Eh. Why not. Team is on all cylinders right now, something to do until albies returns.
Joc and solar were struggling veterans?
@rparker68:
Joc had a .718 OPS and -.3 bWAR when Atlanta got him. Soler had .658 and -1.4. You don’t consider that struggling?
Cano Don’t Cha Know!
That Giant Sucking Sound you Hear and Putrid Smell emanating from Flushing, NY is another Mets Choke Job as they give it up to the Braves. Bye Bye 1st Place 10.5 Game Lead vanishes.
He’s gonna knock the cover off the ball in a dead cat bounce kinda way in the ATL. It’s about to get HOT in the ATL into mid-July and August, and Cano will heat up too. Fantasy owners, pick this man up pronto!
G-Braves games in Cool-Ray will be fun for the next week. Getting to see the fallen star of Cano, try and shine again. Can he hit like Matt Carpenter for a spell or Joey Gallo?! Tune in to find out! Haters!
No risk at all, if he doesn’t perform well Cano will be released an AA will get someone else, easy as that.
Not to belabor the point but the risk is you lose games because he’s terrible when you could have tried someone else. If they just stash him in the minors, then no risk, but if they play him there is certainly something to lose, namely games.
@Cosmo
On the contrary Cano gave the Braves a chance to win by getting hits. Keep making your pointless ‘points’.
What the hell are you talking about? He’s been on the team for one game. He got two hits. So he’s a game changer now? Talk about useless points. This has got to be one of the dumbest comments I’ve seen here in a while. You wanna maybe give it a little more than three at bats before you start getting your panties all crumpled?
Spacecadet
Your comprehension isn’t very good. You asserted he was “a risk to lose the Braves games”, and you’re calling my comment dumb? He hadn’t even played a game for the Braves, yet you with your Mets crystal ball are talking absolute manure about an excellent player for the majority of his career.
Your comment-“but if they play him there is certainly something to lose, namely games.”. Yes, your comment is dumb.
So they CAN’T lose games? As if I’m the only one here who thinks Cano mightn’t be worth it? It’s like arguing with a cranky toddler. Bug off.
Spacecadet
Yes, you sure are a child, crying that the Braves signed a ‘bad player’-keep up your negativity. Cano is not going to lose the Braves any games as baseball is a team sport, it’s something YOU clearly do not understand.
It seems you like to assert that other people said something that they didn’t say. Now do run along, I don’t have time for your Mets sour and crybaby attitude. Go and cry some more about Cano. You are one of the worst Mets fans.
This dude is so washed up
Kind of a slap in the face of the Braves minor league and developmental system….we have no one better to bring up so we’ll take a flyer on a has-been,
Love a trade that happens in the middle of the night. No lead up, no rumours- you wake up and go What!? or Whoa!
Good on Alex. Shows that Atlanta has the same GM that was in Toronto who has passion for the game and its fans.
The next generation’s Greg Norton.