PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In the winter of 2013, Robinson Cano opted to sign a longer and more lucrative contract with the Mariners rather than return to the Yankees.

The Yankees provided more stability and a greater chance for success both individually and as a team, but $240 million over 10 years was too good an offer to pass up.

Five seasons later, that decision is one that helped Cano financially, but did not provide him with an opportunity to play in many meaningful games. Seattle missed the playoffs each season, and never finished closer than nine games back in the AL West.

"I'm thankful for the Mariners for giving me the chance and the opportunity to get to Seattle and be able to sign there for 10 years. I have no regrets," Cano said. "I had a great five years there. The only difference there was the travel, I wasn’t used to it. Besides that, everything was good, city was perfect. I love the city of Seattle."

Seattle opted to end the partnership this offseason by trading Cano to the Mets to clear the $120 million he is owed from their books, and now that he's back in New York, Cano is hopeful he can again partake in October baseball. The Mets have a revamped roster that could contend, and it will feature Cano hitting in his customary No. 3 spot.

Monday marks the team's first full-squad workout of spring training.

"This team looks really good. Hopefully every one of us stays healthy," Cano said in his first media session of camp. "Like I always said, when you have a healthy team, especially this type of team we have, we can do pretty good things in this game.”

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Cano's time with the Mariners can be interpreted several different ways. He produced as a Mariner and provided surplus value according to WAR, but, as a team, the Mariners were also-rans.

The veteran also served an 80-game suspension last year for violating MLB's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Cano's decision to go to Seattle is also weighed against the fact that he could have stayed with the Yankees, made the playoffs at least three of the last five seasons, and perhaps become the face of the franchise as the team's core players retired.

"I grew up in the Yankees’ system. They teach you how to be a champion from the minor leagues. Be able to win a championship, be able to make it to the playoffs seven, eight times — you want to go there every year," Cano said. "I wasn’t able to make it in Seattle, and I know it’s not because we didn’t have a team. It’s just part of the game.

"But coming back here, I’m looking forward to being back in the playoffs."

For the Mets to make the playoffs, they'll need Cano to remain productive as a 36-year-old transitioning to the National League for the first time.

Cano still hit .303 with an .845 OPS last season even after missing half of the season due to the suspension, and the Mets believe he has skill sets that won't dramatically deteriorate in his late 30s. Cano may not be the same slugger as he was in his Yankees days, but he should be one of the Mets' best hitters this season.

The Mets are also counting on Cano to take on a leadership role, and he has taken over David Wright's locker. Cano noted no one can replace Wright's role with the Mets.

"The way he talks about baseball is unbelievable. You sit there and he’s kind of holding court and everybody knows, wow, this is some special stuff coming out of his mouth," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Sunday. "So he’s going to (be a leader) just because that’s who he is. I don’t even have to expect it. It’s just going to happen."

Cano is strictly going to be used as a second baseman during camp but it's possible the team could use him at first base during the season. Cano has not been approached about first base yet, and Callaway made it seem like it won't happen often.

While Cano has been an everyday player throughout his career, the Mets are planning to give him more days off during the season to help keep him fresh.

“I feel like I’m 25," Cano said. "I feel good physically and mentally. For me, that’s the motto. Once you feel good you can go out and compete and play the game you love.”

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