Kevin Long Keeping In Touch With Robinson Cano

Apr 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) hits a 2-RBI double against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees’ hitting coach Kevin Long told the New York Post that he still “keeps an eye” on Seattle Mariners’ second baseman Robinson Cano, who spent the first nine seasons of his career — from 2005 through 2013 — in pinstripes.

"We text back and forth. It’s nothing too in-depth, but he’s doing fine. It’s how things work. Even though he’s not still around, I’m happy he’s still doing well. I just don’t want him to do too well while he’s here.” (h/t Dan Martin, NY Post)"

Over the course of his nine seasons as a Yankee, Cano hit above .300 seven times and hit at least 25 home runs in each of his last five seasons. This past off-season, he signed a 10-year, 240-million dollar contract with the Mariners.

Manager Joe Girardi compared Robinson Cano leaving New York for Seattle to Albert Pujols leaving St. Louis for the Los Angeles Angels and to Ken Griffey Jr. playing for the Cincinnati Reds after his initial years in Seattle.

"A lot of times, when you have players of that magnitude you think they’ll be in the same uniforms for their whole careers, but that’s not how the game works. Look at Albert Pujols. People never thought he’d be an Angel and now he is. Ken Griffey, people in Seattle never thought he’d be a Red and there he was.” (New York Post)"

Girardi also told the Post that Cano was a “really, really good Yankee.”

Through 24 games with Seattle, Cano is batting .301 but has hit only one home run. He makes his return to the Bronx and to Yankee Stadium tonight, when the Mariners visit the Yankees for the opener of a three-game series.