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New York Yankees Editorial: The Bronx is Boiling — The Curse of Robinson Cano

By Wayne Cavadi

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Dec 12, 2013; Settle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) poses for a photo following a press conference at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Am I saying Cano is the greatest defensive second baseman in history? No way, but he is no worse than any of the other options that the Yankees have thrown out there. He is just more expensive… and when has that ever mattered to the Yankees before?

Now before you jump, I have read a lot of statistical analysis on sites such as FanGraphs (which I love as much as you) as you have, hinting at the 32-year old’s decline. But most of those articles are one of two things: estimations and sole player focused.

Some data shows that he is digressing in stats, but the contact rates are still there, leaving what to come for the rest of 2015 in a blurred state of confusion. Almost all of the data focuses on Cano’s 2015 struggles at the plate, but nearly none of them compare him to the improvement he would make over the players the Yankees have wheeled out in his absence.

Keep in mind that I thought, and still very much think, that the deal that the Mariners signed Cano to is outrageous. But in the grand scheme of things in how baseball contracts are working in the inflated, non-salary cap market, Cano did not get paid that much more ridiculously than what the Jason Kipnises and Altuves will be in line to receive when their day comes.

I know the Yankees are in first place, but again, it is all relative. The AL East is weak. They have the worst record of any first place team in baseball (as of Sunday). That’s not being negative, that’s stating facts. Would the Yankees be better with Cano? How the heck should I know, but they wouldn’t be any worse.

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