By Mike Phillips | October 16, 2020 12:48 pm
Player Review: Robinson Cano
2020 Stats: 49 Games, 171 At Bats, .316 Batting Average, 54 Hits, 9 Doubles, 10 Home Runs, 30 RBI’s, 23 Runs Scored, .896 OPS, 0.9 WAR
Story: Robinson Cano began his second year as a Met with a lot to prove. A disappointing 2019 saw the Mets drop Cano to sixth in the lineup but he quickly became one of the franchise’s most consistent hitters. Cano did miss some time in August with an injury but returned to be a stable force in the middle of the lineup. The Mets did see Cano cool off a bit down the stretch, but he did show that there was plenty of life left in his bat in 2020.
Finding a way to unload Cano is the key to straightening out this roster. As a 2B, he puts multiple players out of position, killing our defense, and as a DH he blocks either Smith or Alonso. He hit well enough to have value, so it’s likely they could trade him by picking up maybe 60% of his salary rather than having to buy him out completely for no return.
ReplyDeletePutting pitching aside for the moment, the new GM (there WILL be a new GM) needs to build around Smith, Alonso, Conforto, McNeil, Nimmo, and Gimenez for the long term, almost certainly with McNeil as the primary 2B. Davis should probably go for the same basic reasons as Cano.
With those 6 as the core, they need a C and CF, and will need to figure out 3B from either inside or outside the org.
If they can do some of this heading into ‘21, and start fixing the pitching, they can be competitive in a strong division next season, and be in position to contend for a title In ‘22 and beyond. It’s simply not going to all happen in one offseason, but the FA market is also likely to be stronger next offseason. It’s a two year plan, but everyone they need to keep is young enough to start a run in ‘22 with the right added pieces.
The new owner will realign this team into a 2021 viable winner. The realignment will most likely have to involve several major moves and big spending. How Canodoes or doesn’t fit in will be intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThat Adam Smith, I want a real run in 2021. Time to bust thru the luxury tax threshold.
ReplyDeleteI think they can be a playoff team in ‘22 if things break right, but I think that this year’s feee agent crop is relatively weak, and there are multiple needs (C, CF, P, P, P). I’d hate to see a big flawed spend, when we have a young core in place for an extended run.
DeleteI meant that I think they can be a playoff team in ‘21 if things break right. If they play it right though, they can be a strong championship contender starting in ‘22.
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