The Braves announced that they’ve selected the contract of veteran second baseman Robinson Cano, just hours after acquiring him from the Padres in exchange for cash. Fellow infield veteran Phil Gosselin was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man and 26-man rosters. Atlanta also reinstated Adam Duvall from the paternity list and optioned first baseman Mike Ford to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Cano, 39, was suspended for the entire 2021 season after the second positive PED test of his 17-year Major League career. Once a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate who looked like a surefire Hall of Famer (prior to the multiple PED bans), Cano is in the penultimate season of a ten-year, $240MM contract signed with the Mariners prior to the 2014 season. He’s been released by both the Mets and the Padres this season thanks to an awful .149/.182/.189 batting line through 77 trips to the plate, but Cano did post a strong .333/.375/.479 slash in 104 Triple-A plate appearances for the Padres’ top affiliate this year.
Now back in the NL East, Cano will help his former division rival try to overtake his former club in a potential revenge series this weekend. For the time being, he’ll give Atlanta a platoon partner at second base for the righty-swinging Orlando Arcia — though it stands to reason that if Cano’s form resembles his output with the Padres and Mets from earlier in the year, the leash will be quite short. The Braves are biding their time until Ozzie Albies can return from a fractured foot, but he’s likely still more than a month out.
Gosselin, 33, had a nice run in Triple-A Gwinnett this season but hasn’t hit much in a tiny sample of 24 big league plate appearances (.261/.292/.261). He’s spent parts of ten seasons in the Majors, so teams generally know what they’re getting with him at this point. Gosselin will generally hit for a passable batting average but doesn’t walk or hit for power. He’s capable of playing just about anywhere on the diamond and is a solid defender at multiple infield positions, making him a nice veteran to have on hand as a depth option. The Braves will have a week to trade Gosselin, release him or try to pass him through outright waivers. Even if he goes unclaimed on waivers, he can reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency.
‘Ere we go…
Cano revenge series this week
I think that’s the idea
Revenge against who? He’s the one who put the roids in his own system. He got released because he no longer possesses the talent to play at the Major League level. You’ll see this week.
Nah bro he’s going yard 4 times this series
… in batting practice
… maybe
@Jdt8312 You obviously don’t have many clues. 2-3 and he played solid defence. Yes, it’s one game, but your claim of no talent shows you are most definitely wrong. Stay sour and eat a lemon.
The Braves lost. You might want to reserve your racist tomahawk chants and chest pounding until you, I don’t know, win a game this series. Go suck a lemon.
I watched him hit a HR on opening day, and he could barely swing the bat. I know what I saw, and you can ask anyone who watched him with the Mets this year. He was awful. But just remember, one more PED positive test, and he’s banned for life. Been caught twice already. If he didn’t think he needed them to perform, he wouldn’t have used them in the first place. So where is he getting this from? Things that make ya go hmmmmmm…
Adds some drama to the Mets – Braves series. Watch the Braves catch Lightning in a Bottle Here. LOL Mets
Good luck with that
I wouldn’t bet on it
Do you think they brought him in because he knows the Mets signs/plays? And can relay then to his team without a garbage can?
Gosselin’s OPS+ was 55. Damnn, no wonder Braves are getting rid of him. Whats Cano’s? Oh shoot! No wonder Cano was free. At least you can say he’s a career .300 batter, while he strikes out 33% of the time.
Chicken,
Yep, you were wrong. He went 2-3, ok it’s one game, but go eat some chicken.
How’d the game go? Your “ace” came up VERY small, Eddie Rosario still can’t see and old man Snickers made another boneheaded call not to play the infield in in the 9th. Ya love to see it! LOL
You know AA was trying to get Piazza on the 40-man as a backup for this series. Glad he pulled the trigger on Cano.
I really want him to homer against the team paying 99% of his contract.
Mariners paying 20% of the contract.
A lot of this is about seeing what Cano has left before trade deadline to see if Cano can be a back up at second base.
Braves have D’nard and Cano both released by Mets in last couple years
So why do teams keep picking up Cano?
1) minor league deal (NYM footing the bill)
2) LH bat vs RHP (majority of pitchers)
3) DH spot for every MLB team means more ABs needed
4) You can hide bad defense at 2B more than most other positions, especially in a year of the shift
5) History of past performance and give them an opportunity to prove themselves
6) Less players available because increased playoff spots
7) Roids still work and he’s at 2 strikes until a lifetime ban
#7) Are you suggesting that Cano might still be using steroids because, hey, he already killed his HOF chances, might as well use roids to stick in the majors?
#1) Yeah, the Mets are paying almost all of his salary, but how much did ATL have to pay SD? $1mm? Even that isn’t that much as far as MLB goes.
League minimum. And if he’s caught again he will be suspended a long time without pay.
@Truth: Atlanta probably didn’t pay more than $50,000, and probably less. He was on a milb contract.
SD traded Cano to Atlanta for “cash considerations.” My question is, how much was that?
If Cano is caught again for steroids, isn’t that a lifetime ban? Even if it isn’t, at age 39 it effectively will be.
Cano would be a better bat off the bench than Goose. After that base running error and his lack of production good night. Cano is cheap doesn’t work they release
Lefty bat to platoon with Arcia. Goose wasn’t exactly lighting it up with the bat and he is also a right handed hitter on a right handed heavy team. No real risk here. They don’t need him to carry the offense just play solid defense and provide a lefty off the bench. Let’s go Braves!!!!
some organizations believing he still has something on the tank but he doesn’t. Only if he can take his PEDs again. He will be tested during the Mets series but if he underperforms he will be released and Gosselin will be called up again or someone else to retake that spot….
You mean if he under performs he will be released and someone else will take his place on the roster…wow breaking news on that one. Such a hot take, you should be a sportscaster.
The goose has been cut loose in favor of the guy who likes to juice.
One day I aspire to reach your level greatness…
Goose was cut loose for a guy who used the juice
Bruce went to ‘Cuse to hunt moose with Dr. Seuss
I deduce that if he can still produce, he’ll play the deuce.
It’s a bush league move by the not so Braves I hope it backfires. AA is an ahole.
Please elaborate. Do you really think AA gives a crap about pissing off Mets fans? It’s a depth move. Nothing more. Nothing less. Only fans care about the pettiness.
I wouldn’t expect any elboration. Its a shoot from the hip type comment.
@dlw0906: Go outside and breathe the fresh air. Get some Vitamin D. You’ll feel better.
He’s probably driving in his vehicle alone with his face mask on still. I agree fresh air and vitamin D is good.
Brett the Jet Gardner is still available and he bats left. Should have gone with that.
Can he play 2B?
Technically anyone can play 2b, the question is can he play it well
And the answer is no. The Braves already have a lefty platooner for LF. 2B is their weakest position.
Should have at least given him the chance.
He’s going to need at least three weeks to get ready and probably won’t agree to a minor league given that he opted out of a guaranteed ML ’22 deal with the Yankees.
Wish he didn’t opt out. Would have been a great career Yankee!
I honestly think it was handshake agreement between him and Cashman bc the Yankees needed to work under the CBT in ’21. I’m not surprised he opted-out nor do I see a fit for him on this current team. It would’ve stunk if the Yankees were forced to release him as Marwin G sadly has more value than a diminished Gardy.
Some people might be wondering why the Braves are giving Cano a shot…
It’s me. I am Some People
Braves desperation. Ya love to see it!
Braves are likely to overtake the NL East lead after this 3 games series. Amazing after being 10 1/2 games back a month ago. Gotta love it.
Thanks for letting my comment live in your head, simpleton. Now back to your backwoods Georgia trailer for lunch, your mommy’s calling you.
What does one have for lunch in a Georgia backwoods trailer? Just curious. Also, if I’m not mistaken, aren’t you a Mets fan from Texas? Why are you insulting Georgia? I mean to each their own. As a proud New Yorker myself, we have plenty of horrible areas within our own city to bash.
I’ve never declared which state I live in, but I can absolutely assure you it’s nowhere near Texas or the wretched South. I appreciate how much you seem to care to know about my background, it’s quite flattering.
I assumed you were MetsFan22 who declared living in Texas.
No. For the hundredth time, I don’t know who that is. But, please, do continue to push your falsehoods.
Sure thing.
@dadofdonny
Mets took 2 of 3 without two of their all star hitters or their best pitcher.
How you like them apples?
Mute.
Please, sir – not the mute button.
They can have that cheating juicer.
Sending love from SD to Hotlanta!
My man was desperate enough to play in a Sponge Bob uni in El Paso…I better watch my mouth, those 7-11 Slurpy mashup uni’s they wore on Friday weren’t much better.
Let’s F’ing Go Cano!
SpongeBob jerseys are super stylish tho
Good luck.
At one point this guy was on a trajectory to be the best second baseman of all time offensively. Took over for Tony Womack. Was on his way to cooperstown and monument park.
I’m still pissed cash man let him walk and signed jacoby ellsbury.
They offered cano 170-180mill i think and he turned it down.. Ya in hindsight Ellsbury one of biggest busts all time.
Ellsbury bust aside, Cano’s entire career is tainted. I think the Yanks dodged a bullet.
I was hoping the pic that would go up would be Robbie in the SpongeBob jersey.
Roll the dice !
This move was worth it if for no other reason than to piss off those whiny mets fans
So basically Mike Ford sucks?
Better to have ex-Mets on the Braves than ex-Yanks?
Where is Adeiny Hechavarria when you need him?