The trade of Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn to acquire Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz may end up being best characterized as:
"You broke it, you own it."
But now we "own" Robbie Cano; what is the right way to use him going into 2020?
I thought I'd consider a few things about Mr. "Don't You Know" in making that determination:
Career-wise, having played so many games in the House that George Built, one would have thought Cano would have had vastly better home than road splits, given the Yankee Stadium porch.
Wrong. Very Wrong.
In his career, this is what he's done, home and away:
HOME:
.299/.350/.492
ROAD:
.305/.355/.489
Pretty remarkably close, virtually a dead heat, especially when you consider the dramatically divergent Yankee home/road splits of Aaron Judge:
.315/.433/.647 home, and just .233/.355/.472 road.
Huge difference.
Moving on, we still have to figure out with Cano in 2020:
"How to do it?"
Well, here's another way to look at Cano, for those of you who feel he is too old to be any good.
Who feel he ought to be benched.
Who feel he ought to be banished.
He missed half of 2018 with Seattle due to certain...ahem...issues, and was badly impacted by some HBPs to the hand area in the first half of 2019.
So, out of curiosity, what would his 2018 and 2nd half (healthy) 2019 numbers look like, if combined?
122 G, 513 PAs, 458 ABs, 136 H (.297), 33 doubles, 19 HRs, 71 R, 71 RBI, 43 BB.
Would you take that production for 2020 for Cano if he played 122 games?
I would!
OK, if he is to be kept out of 40 games (a good idea to give him breaks and keep him healthy as he gets older), which 40?
Ans.: I would vote to sit him against all lefties when possible.
Not that he is a bad career hitter against lefties. He is just a better hitter against righties, by a decent margin:
Lefties, career: .281/.332/.428
Righties, career: .313/.363/.522
Now, career-wise, he has had 34% of his plate appearances against lefties, 66% against righties.
66% of 162 games = 107 games; to that 107 games, add in oh, let's say 15 pinch hit games, and voila, you are at 122 games. How did I do that??
Anyway, anyhow, that's how I would be thinking of using him:
107 starts against righties, and otherwise use him to pinch hit as appropriate.
Maybe, just maybe, his 2020 stats would look familiar, like this:
122 G, 513 PAs, 458 ABs, 136 H (.297), 33 doubles, 19 HRs, 71 R, 71 RBI, 43 BB.
How about you, Mr. and Mrs. Manager?
How would you use Mr. Cano in 2020?
I could wait to ask you next October, but then hindsight would be 2020, wouldn't it?
He and Amed Rosario need to flip spots in the batting order. Rosario is on his way up. Cano needs to prove he's still got it.
ReplyDeleteI hope Cano hits .440 in spring training again, to show he's still got it.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, I would move McNeil to second base and Cano to third base, but that isn't likely to happen.
ReplyDeleteSo, if Cano is going to play, I like your plan on how to limit his at bats to keep him healthy and to give some at bats
to folks like Jed Lowrie. We also have the interleague DH available which comprises roughly ten games and would give Cano a glimpse into his Mets' future in 2021 and beyond (once the NL adopts the same).
Cano can still be an asset if he is managed properly and if he stays healthy (huge IF).
Mike, if the NL does go DH, Cano's value to them will definitely go up, assuming he stays healthy and "youthful"
ReplyDeleteIt has occurred to me that RH/JH PH's Yo/Cano is a potent (albeit overly expensive) weapon. They hve to play enough to stay fresh & interested, however.
ReplyDeleteHomie, that left/right veteran punch could be tough.
ReplyDeleteGreat article and I agree with most of it, but you are a bit more bullish on his potential than I.
ReplyDeleteMy first comment would be that with 107 starts and 15 PH appearances to make up the 122 games, it would be tough to get 513 plate appearances.
Either one of two things has to happen for many 'ups':
(1) he has to hit in the top third of the order in all of his starts (that would be a bad thing, IMO), or
(2) the team as a whole has to be scoring a lot of runs on a daily basis and be going through the order 5 or 6 times. (that would be a good thing). Lastly, I have no issue with the 107 starts, but I also can see him being replaced late for defensive purposes fairly often (especially if Luis Guillorme is the 26th man).
My guess for him is that he will start more that 107 games, get his 500 plate appearances, but I don't see quite as much production - .271 BA with only 11 to 15 homers and perhaps 25 to 30 doubles. His salary will allow him to get the plate appearances.
Mike, I’ve said it many times... Even ARod on the radio said that he would be perfect for third due to his strong arm and diminished range.
ReplyDeleteRemember1969, thanks for your comment. Your analysis and prediction may well prove to be more accurate than mine. I would take either for Cano in 2020.
ReplyDeleteTexasGus, 3rd base? I hope Cano is willing. A Rod knew when to move to 3rd, so should Cano.
ReplyDeleteHis goal is the 2B home run record. I would think he dosen't play day games after a night game. There are 20 plus Sunday day games. Midday travel day games account for another 15-20 day games. Thats 35 right there. Obviously he could take the night game off and play the next day's day game based on who is pitching etc.
ReplyDeleteThey also have the DH games in which he doesn't need to play a position. This is not going to be hard. Say this, hes been a good soldier so far if leas the player than we hoped.