Reese Kaplan -- Danger, PED Robinson. Danger, Danger...

OK, so we've all had a day or two to ride the emotional roller coaster about the Robinson Cano recidivism which results in his forfeiting his entire 2020 salary for which the Mets recoup $20.4 million.  Many were still harboring major hostility for Brodie Van Wagenen's ill-fated trade which was a flat out disaster in 2019, but much improved during the abbreviated 2020 season.  Of course, we're assuming that Edwin Diaz's fine output was the result of pure talent whereas Cano's rebound season was apparently the result of better living through chemistry.  Many people are calling him all kinds of unprintable names right now (and that's probably fair), but the fact is the Mets now have to decide what it is they're going to do with this unexpected vacancy and payroll bonus that was not part of the 2021 plan.

 

Before we get into the specifics of who should play where, which free agent should be signed, what trades should be made and whether or not to expel the twice-caught Cano from the roster altogether, please remember that there is still no front office.  I hate to sound like a broken record (you know, those black vinyl things that your parents and grandparents and great grandparents relied upon for music before Spotify, Apple, Pandora and others came into existence), but it is unwise to rush into such decisions until there are qualified people available to analyze all of the alternatives, the short term need, the long term financial implications and the future of Robinson Cano.  That being said, let's shove all reason aside and look at the various ways the Mets can go about playing out this new development.  

 

The in-house options are plentiful, though people could argue back and forth whether or not they are attractive or intelligent.  Most folks are assuming Jeff McNeil will slide back to his former home at second base where he played credibly well as a middle infielder while producing to the tune of .319 with his bat for his major league career.  That's not a one-year hot streak.  He's had over 1000 major league plate appearances and would average 20 HRs and 76 RBIs to go along with the upper major league tear batting average.  For a guy who customarily bats in the 2-hole, that's pretty awesome production.

 

However, McNeil is not the only choice.  Remember that the Mets have a major confusion in the outfield, too, and no named king of third base either.  Furthermore, for everyone on the Andres Gimenez shortstop bandwagon, there are just as many on the "buy him a ticket out of town" belief when it comes to Amed Rosario.  Then there's J.D. Davis, he of the magical 2019 season and the less stellar 2020 campaign.  These players are all in the mix as Luis Guillorme is already relegated to the role of backup.  

 

Of course, the folks who are interested in expanding the Mets roster with the new-found money from Cano are now looking across town at free agent D.J. LeMahieu who won his second batting title in the past five years and during that period only once hit under .300.  That's pretty amazing for a guy who if anything got better after leaving Coors Field.  He's a .305 career hitter who during his first year in Yankee Stadium hit 26 HRs and drove in 105 to go along with an eye-popping .327 average.  His run production was down a bit in the short 2020 season, but his average jumped up to an otherworldly .364.  He was paid $12 million per year in the Bronx and is looking for a five-year deal at a much higher number.  Given that he's already 32 years old, the duration might be questionable, but the average annual value is not.  The best guesses as to contract terms are four years and $80 million which would put him right in the Cano range of compensation.  

 

There are other second basemen available in free agency, too, not just LeMahieu (who may well give the Bronx Bombers a hometown discount to stay where he's flourished).  Kolten Wong is not in the same class of productivity as LeMahieu, but he would cost a whole lot less.  In 2019 he hit 11 HRs, drove in 59 and stole 24 bases while hitting .285.  That's not too shabby.  He earned $10.5 million last season and the Cardinals paid his $1 million buyout rather than shell out $12.5 for 2021.  He will likely command something on that order for multiple years and has just turned 30.  

 

Jonathan Schoop is a player who has always been on the cusp of greatness but never quite got there.  He has hit as many as 32 HRs in a season and that same year drove in 105 while hitting .293.  It seemed to be an outlier and he's bounced around a bit since leaving Baltimore.  Last year for the Tigers he earned $6.1 million and I don't foresee a major jump up in pay for the 29 year old second baseman.  

 

Dee Strange-Gordon is out there but he's been on a downhill spiral with his batting average and base running for the past four years.  At age 32 already I can't see his speed improving, so I would cast a big "No" to this candidate.  

 

On the trade front everyone is awaiting the big Francisco Lindor acquisition.  He will likely cost $25 million or so per year for many seasons, but now with this year an extra $20 million in your pocket he becomes even more attractive.  Likely either Amed Rosario or Andres Gimenez will have to be part of the trade package going back to Cleveland which helps unclutter the shortstop position, though there are also rumors of a one-on-one including Jeff McNeil.  If that latter option happened, then the Mets have the opportunity to try Rosario or Gimenez at 2nd base or they could go after one of the FA options.  

 

There are likely other trade targets the club could acquire, but until there is a front office it is somewhat pointless to speculate.  I'm in the mixed bag camp regarding Cano.  His colossal stupidity can't be discounted, but then neither can his career .303 batting average.  He's gone and that means there's a lot more money to spend in 2021, but remember that the team is still on the hook for another nearly $41 million for the two seasons that follow.  It's going to be a very interesting Hot Stove season for sure.