The saga of Robinson Canó’s tenure with the New York Mets is a rollercoaster ride of highs, lows, and unexpected turns. The trade that brought Canó, along with Edwin Díaz, and $20 million from the Mariners to the Mets on December 3, 2018, was met with anticipation and excitement.
Canó’s debut as a Met was marked by a home run off Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, setting an optimistic tone. However, the first half of the season brought challenges, including two stints on the injured list, a career-high strikeout rate, and criticism from various quarters, including an ‘F’ grade from Mike Puma of the New York Post. The trade was soon labeled a “massive misstep” and an “unmitigated disaster” by baseball analysts.
Amid the struggles, Canó had a remarkable game on July 23, 2019, hitting three home runs and driving in all five of the team’s runs against the San Diego Padres. His second half saw a significant improvement, with a notable increase in OPS.
In 2019, Canó’s overall performance fell below his usual standards, batting .256 with 13 home runs and a career-low 39 RBIs. However, he rebounded in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, posting a .316/.352/.544 slash line and proving to be a key offensive contributor.
The narrative took an unexpected turn on November 18, 2020, when Canó was suspended for 162 games after testing positive for Stanozolol, a violation of MLB’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. This marked his second positive test for a PED, resulting in his ineligibility for the entire 2021 season.
Canó returned to the Mets in 2022, but his comeback was short-lived. On May 2, the Mets designated Canó for assignment after he struggled at the plate, batting .195 with one home run in 41 at-bats. Despite sporadic playing opportunities coming off the bench, Canó’s release on May 8 made him a free agent once again.
The story of Robinson Canó’s time with the Mets is one of unpredictability, with moments of brilliance and setbacks. His journey, marked by both personal achievements and controversies, is a testament to the complexities of a baseball career.
The 2022 season for Robinson Canó unfolded as a challenging and eventful journey, marked by multiple team changes and on-field struggles. Here’s a recap of Canó’s tumultuous season:
- Signing with the San Diego Padres (May 13, 2022):
- Canó signed a major league contract with the San Diego Padres.
- Initial Struggles and Release from the Padres (June 2, 2022):
- Canó faced difficulties at the plate, batting .094 in 12 games for the Padres, with 10 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances.
- The Padres released Canó on June 2.
- Rejoining the Padres on a Minor League Contract (June 10, 2022):
- Canó re-signed with the Padres, this time on a minor league contract.
- He was assigned to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.
- Trade to the Atlanta Braves (July 10, 2022):
- The Padres traded Canó to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.
- Canó made his Braves debut against the New York Mets the next day.
- Designation for Assignment and Release from the Braves (August 1-4, 2022):
- The Braves designated Canó for assignment on August 1 after acquiring Ehire Adrianza.
- Canó batted 4-for-26 (.154) in nine games for the Braves.
- He was released on August 4, becoming a free agent.
- Aggregate Season Stats (2022):
- In 33 games and 100 at-bats across the three teams, Canó posted a batting line of .150/.183/.190.
- He recorded 4 walks and 25 strikeouts during the season.
- Canó earned the distinction of being the slowest second baseman in Major League Baseball, with a sprint speed of 24.3 feet per second.
The 2022 season proved to be a challenging chapter in Robinson Canó’s career, marked by fluctuating performance, team changes, and eventual release. As a free agent, the seasoned player faced an uncertain future in the world of professional baseball.
