Robinson Cano Slowly But Surely Heating Up

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We are 26 games into the Robinson Cano era in Seattle and while his numbers aren’t that gaudy across the board his production is picking up. Cano as we all know sign his 10-year/$240 million contract in the off-season which is the 4th largest in MLB history. He was very maligned by New York Yankee fans and media for going for the money instead of becoming the next great Yankee. I think Cano earned the right to do whatever he wants, he made 5 all-star teams, 5 silver slugger awards, 2 gold gloves and played a vital role in the Yankees winning a world series in 2009. Yankee fans aren’t always entitled to great players staying just because they are the Yankees, why can’t Cano blaze his own trail in Seattle? It won’t diminish any of his accomplishments in pinstripes.

Now from a baseball perspective Cano definitely took on the challenge of being a leader for the Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field isn’t exactly hitter friendly. When comparing Safeco Field to Yankee Stadium its like going from heaven to hell for a hitter, Cano will surely miss that short right field porch in New York. Hitting at Safeco will take some time but like any great player I’m sure Cano will adjust and performing at a high level.

The last week has seen him tear the cover off the baseball as he is hitting .375, with 3 runs scored, 6 hits, 4 runs batted in and a walk. He’s doing a great job of taking what the pitcher gives him and not trying to do too much at the plate, the power will come eventually. The Mariners are playing better baseball winning 5 of their last 6 games and I think you could directly attribute that to the improved play of Cano. The newly acquired 2nd baseman has an RBI in 4 of those 5 wins, so there is a direct correlation between his production and the Mariners winning.

He is a cornerstone of the Mariners organization and a guy they feel they can build a great team around. “A Player like Robinson Cano can make a manager look real smart, real quick. No one player is going to win a championship for you, but I would remind people that we have some pieces in place” said manager Lloyd McClendon. The Mariners do have a nice young core of players like Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager. It takes time to build a winner but Seattle hopes Cano can be at the forefront of any championship glory in Seattle