SU was reading some additional articles about Robinson Cano and his season in Seattle. Check out these comments from recently fired Seattle first base coach Andy Van Slyke:
“Robinson Cano was the single worst third-place, everyday player I’ve ever seen… for the first half of a Major League Baseball season,” the former Mariners’ first-base coach said in a radio interview. “He couldn’t drive home Miss Daisy if he tried. Couldn’t do it. He couldn’t get a hit when it mattered. He played the worst defense I’ve ever seen at second. I mean, I’m talking about the worst defensive second baseman ever, I’ve ever seen in 20 years in the big leagues.”
Followers of baseball know that fired coaches and managers usually don’t throw players under the bus like this as they are angling to be hired for another job in the future and you start to limit possible destinations if one of these players is on the roster of that potential new team. There are stories floating around today about a possible Ellsbury for Cano trade but for the Yankees, the math doesn’t work given the 10-year Cano deal which has 8 years remaining. You wonder if some GM will bail out Seattle on his contract. You also wonder how Cano’s numbers will continue to deteriorate playing in a big stadium in cool, damp weather for much of the year. The Yankees had offered 7 years and $175 million which was more than fair and probably still too long a contract. Note to Jay-Zee: it’s not always about the money and how much is enough?
The Yankees need to not engage here. Plus there are always the LA Dodgers who are more than happy to pick up a ridiculous contract.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
It’s nice that everyone can take a break from bashing Peyton Manning for a couple of days and focus on someone else. I assume after the Lakers lose to the Warriors it will be Kobe’s turn again.
You never hear coaches talk like this. I wonder if there’s anything personal going on (beyond Van Slyke losing his job). Or, could Jay Z be behind this in order to help Cano move to another team. The fact that the comments are coming despite Cano’s excellent 2nd half, leads me to believe there’s something behind the scenes going on here.
As far as the comments themselves. This is the same stuff Yankees fan knew for years. He looks lazy in the field and running the bases. These are the things we never knew would change. We understood he would run slowly to first or watch a double hit the wall and turn it into a single. We accepted his fielding saying that he was sure handed and had a great arm that made it look like he was taking it easy. We knew that while he wasn’t going to win any Charlie Hustle awards, he was going to play every day and be a middle-of-the-order force.
If I’m the Yankees I would take him if Seattle pays 50%. To me that makes him a fantastic deal for now and a problem when he’s 40.
Mr. Cano is not the only one with high lofty status who under performs after moving to a different “climate.” Usually, once that person moves back to where he is fairly close to being idolized as the next NY Yankee superstar his performance again rises back to where it was expected to be. Unfortunately, its not fair for management who is paying handsomely, nor for the fans who absolutely expect it but that’s the way it is and will continue to be. New York to Seattle? That’s a huge change in lifestyle.
It’s just too tempting when you believe that 1 person will get you to where you feel you can win…. BIG. Is it worth it for the Yankees to get him back? YES… provided that Seattle eats some of the contract. Having him in the middle of the lineup would make a huge difference. He is not injury prone like an Ellsbury. Having hitters before him see better pitches alone will raise their averages 10-15 points alone. It definitely stretches the their lineup. The Yankees currently have an above average team. With Cano those 87 wins last year would become 92. Pick up Price and lets make it an even 95…. more than enough to win their division and make some noise beyond that. George’s large “stone” out their in left center field will once again be shining brightly.