162 Game Suspension for Robinson Cano for PED Violation

[a700hitter]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

 

[h=1]Robinson Cano Receives 162-Game PED Suspension[/h]By Steve Adams | November 18, 2020 at 2:33pm CDT

Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports (via Twitter). The league confirmed minutes after Passan’s report that Cano has tested positive for Stanozolol. Because this is Cano’s second PED ban — he also tested positive with the Mariners back in 2018 — he’ll be suspended for 162 games. Cano will spend the 2021 season on the restricted list and will not earn any of his $24MM salary ($3.75MM of which was to be paid by the Mariners).

Presumably, if the 2021 season is shortened at all due to the ongoing pandemic, Cano’s suspension would carry over into the 2022 campaign. He’s still signed through 2023 at that same $24MM annual rate under the terms of the 10-year, $240MM deal he signed in Seattle back in December 2013.

The pair of PED suspensions will unquestionably sully what otherwise looked like a potential Hall of Fame career. Cano, an eight-time All-Star, has taken home five Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Gloves and posted a superlative .303/.352/.492 batting line with 334 home runs, 571 doubles, 33 triples, 1257 runs scored an 1303 runs driven in. He’s also racked up 2624 career hits, which would’ve given him a chance at cracking the illustrious 3000-hit barrier were it not for this latest suspension. He’ll still technically have an outside chance, but a pair of 188-hit seasons at ages 39 and 40 don’t seem likely.

The 38-year-old struggled through a dismal 2019 season in Queens, hitting just .256/.307/.428 in a season that will be remembered for the juiced ball and record levels of offense throughout the league. Cano put together what looked to be a a terrific bounceback effort in 2020 with a .316/.352/.544 slash in 182 plate appearances, although this latest PED revelation obviously tarnishes the legitimacy of that production.

That strong showing notwithstanding, Cano’s suspension will work to the Mets’ benefit from a roster construction standpoint. Incoming owner Steve Cohen was already expected to be among the game’s most aggressive owners in an offseason where most clubs will be looking to recoup lost revenues.

Cano’s suspension not only opens up $20.25MM of unexpected payroll space in 2021 but also paves a clearer path for the Mets to put Jeff McNeil back at second base if they see fit. That makes for a cleaner alignment of J.D. Davis at the hot corner with a possible outfield alignment of Dominic Smith in left, Brandon Nimmo in center and Michael Conforto in right. Of course, given the aforementioned spending capabilities the Mets possess under Cohen, it’s quite likely that the current alignment will be altered by offseason additions, be they via the free-agent market or trade market.

Already, the Mets have been listed as a potential suitor for top free agents such as Trevor Bauer, J.T. Realmuto, George Springer, DJ LeMahieu and Marcell Ozuna. Similarly, they’ve been suggested as a speculative trade partner for the Mets when they inevitably move Francisco Lindorthis winter. The additional payroll capacity only strengthens their ability to pursue such upgrades.

 

 

[Kimmi]

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I can somewhat understand messing up once. But trying to get away with it a second time, I don't get at all. I'm guessing some players just have a really difficult time coming to grips with the fact that their careers are close to coming to an end.

[Bellhorn04]

Nice trade by the loser Mets.

[Thunder]

Robinson Cano, don't ya know (better)?

[a700hitter]

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I can somewhat understand messing up once. But trying to get away with it a second time, I don't get at all. I'm guessing some players just have a really difficult time coming to grips with the fact that their careers are close to coming to an end.

So far he has cost himself $36 million for these suspensions plus the enduring damage to his name and reputation. He’s a real knucklehead, but Mets fans should write him a Thank You card, because the new owner will have an additional $20.5 million.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Just goes to show you that guys should never leave the Yankees. As soon as they do, they get into all kinds of trouble with baseball laws. Imagine Cano suddenly doing all that juice as a Met and Mariner, trying to recapture the purity of his youth in New York. At least we can appreciate Beltran, who left his evil ways in Houston and fled back into the angelic embrace of pinstripes.

[notin]

Cano's career easily put him on track for Cooperstown. This second suspension has derailed that, and probably completely....

[mvp 78]

Cano's career easily put him on track for Cooperstown. This second suspension has derailed that, and probably completely....

 

According to JAWS, he's right behind Carew. 7th all time.

 

If I had a ballot, I'd vote for him.

 

Pedroia is 20th per JAWS. I wouldn't vote for him.

[Thunder]

One thing I always loved about Cano was how easy he made playing 2nd base look. He was so casual out there. You never saw him doubt himself or really experience any sort of fear or nerves. He made spectacular plays seem routine, because he was also one that shied away from the spotlight

[moonslav59]

So far he has cost himself $36 million for these suspensions plus the enduring damage to his name and reputation. He’s a real knucklehead, but Mets fans should write him a Thank You card, because the new owner will have an additional $20.5 million.

 

Makes me wonder how much the steroids helped him earn X amount of money.

[Bellhorn04]

Makes me wonder how much the steroids helped him earn X amount of money.

 

It was rumored that the reason the Yanks were willing to let him go was because of PED concerns.

 

His whole career might be phony.

[Bellhorn04]

Pedroia is 20th per JAWS. I wouldn't vote for him.

 

The injury ruined his chances. Thanks Manny.

[mvp 78]

The injury ruined his chances. Thanks Manny.

 

Even if he was healthy, he'd be on the outside looking in unless he wanted to play until he got to 3,000 hits some time in his 40's.

[Bellhorn04]

Even if he was healthy, he'd be on the outside looking in unless he wanted to play until he got to 3,000 hits some time in his 40's.

 

He was on target for a 60-70 fWAR career before the injury, which would have given him a good shot.

[mvp 78]

He was on target for a 60-70 fWAR career before the injury, which would have given him a good shot.

 

Maybe. With his play style, it was certainly likely that he'd continue to get beat up along the way hindering his production.

 

The Red Sox would have been a far better team and far more enjoyable to root for if he had stayed healthy.

 

If he had a press conference tomorrow and said "Laser Show 2021," you know Red Sox Nation would erupt.

[Donnie Sadler was short]

Playing devils advocate here...any chance that he unknowingly took a supplement? I dont know much about steroids & supplements but I find it unbelievable that 2 yrs after getting caught he does it again.

[Bellhorn04]

Playing devils advocate here...any chance that he unknowingly took a supplement? I dont know much about steroids & supplements but I find it unbelievable that 2 yrs after getting caught he does it again.

 

I'll assume that he it was deliberate and offer my own speculations:

 

1) The temptation is too difficult to resist; and

2) He may have been under the belief that it was something not detectable, or it was masked or whatever.

[dgalehouse]

How often does one of these guys admit that they were cheating and they got caught? It is more convenient to say that their protein shake must have somehow been contaminated with Nandrolone. It is kind of hard to believe that they were not cheating all along and finally got nailed. Especially when it is their second offense. I guess they felt that the reward was worth the risk.

[notin]

How often does one of these guys admit that they were cheating and they got caught? It is more convenient to say that their protein shake must have somehow been contaminated with Nandrolone. It is kind of hard to believe that they were not cheating all along and finally got nailed. Especially when it is their second offense. I guess they felt that the reward was worth the risk.

 

$240 million vs. maybe not getting into Cooperstown? I’d say that huge reward was worth the minimal risk.

 

The league should void contracts of players who test positive. Let 38yo Robinson Cano try to get another 4 year $96 mill contract so he actually has something at risk...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

$240 million vs. maybe not getting into Cooperstown? I’d say that huge reward was worth the minimal risk.

 

The league should void contracts of players who test positive. Let 38yo Robinson Cano try to get another 4 year $96 mill contract so he actually has something at risk...

 

Would that turn every juicer back into a free agent? Not that the team losing a key guy to suspension doesn't have to radically alter their roster and plans going forward...

 

But I believe in a free and fair election to the Hall of Fame, as long as voters count every legal PED: multi-vitamins, coffee, 5-hour Energy, protein bars (maybe), shots of Jack Daniels, oatmeal stout, Mounds bars (for pitchers), Lindor chocolate (for shortstops)...

[mvp 78]

$240 million vs. maybe not getting into Cooperstown? I’d say that huge reward was worth the minimal risk.

 

The league should void contracts of players who test positive. Let 38yo Robinson Cano try to get another 4 year $96 mill contract so he actually has something at risk...

 

I doubt that'll be in the next CBA.

[mvp 78]

Would that turn every juicer back into a free agent? Not that the team losing a key guy to suspension doesn't have to radically alter their roster and plans going forward...

 

But I believe in a free and fair election to the Hall of Fame, as long as voters count every legal PED: multi-vitamins, coffee, 5-hour Energy, protein bars (maybe), shots of Jack Daniels, oatmeal stout, Mounds bars (for pitchers), Lindor chocolate (for shortstops)...

 

Are they going to kick out all the guys in the 70's who were doing greenies?

[notin]

I doubt that'll be in the next CBA.

 

I am 100% positive it won't be...

[notin]

Are they going to kick out all the guys in the 70's who were doing greenies?

 

At a minimum, they need to kick out Gaylord Perry....

[notin]

Would that turn every juicer back into a free agent? Not that the team losing a key guy to suspension doesn't have to radically alter their roster and plans going forward...

 

But I believe in a free and fair election to the Hall of Fame, as long as voters count every legal PED: multi-vitamins, coffee, 5-hour Energy, protein bars (maybe), shots of Jack Daniels, oatmeal stout, Mounds bars (for pitchers), Lindor chocolate (for shortstops)...

 

If MLB and the MLBPA are serious about getting rid of PEDs, they need to make the penalties financial. you're not discouraging players from cheating their way to six figure contracts by penalizing them with a tainted legacy and the ability to keep every contractual dollar.

 

One posssibility might be to have every player who tyests positive (with X amount of re-tests to make sure it is not a false positive) is to make them play out the remainder of the current contract for the leaque minimum, or to deny arbitration/raises for players in their first 6 seasons, and make them play all the way to free agency for the league minimum.

 

I bet you would see a massive drop in PED usage at that point. At least in the Majors. Minor leaguers still have nothing to lose.

 

The owners would likely be all for it, but the MLBPA would balk. And they would be wrong to do so, because it gives the appearance that they promote PED usage in order to secure more money, which is exactly the opposite message MLB needs to be sending...

[Bellhorn04]

At a minimum, they need to kick out Gaylord Perry....

 

I doubt he was the only pitcher in the HOF who doctored the baseball, though.

[mvp 78]

At a minimum, they need to kick out Gaylord Perry....

 

Back in the 80's, Perry's cheating was cute and endearing. It was never shown as being nefarious on This Week in Baseball.

 

Clay using Bullfrog on his arm wasn't seen that way. And what Clay was doing made it safer for the hitters.

[mvp 78]

 

It's been all downhill for baseball ever since they popped Pete Rose.

 

In 87, everyone knew people were using roids, but nobody cared. Baseball was fun.

 

Bart Giamatti ruined baseball. Even God knew this by smiting him a few days later.

[notin]

I doubt he was the only pitcher in the HOF who doctored the baseball, though.

 

He's the only one who openly admitted it and gave the illegal pitch top billing in his own autobiography. He basically mocked the rules and was allowed to get away with it...

[notin]

Back in the 80's, Perry's cheating was cute and endearing. It was never shown as being nefarious on This Week in Baseball.

 

Clay using Bullfrog on his arm wasn't seen that way. And what Clay was doing made it safer for the hitters.

 

The mantra was "Doctored baseballs = fine. Corked bats = cheating." The guy who basically made cheating really bad was bat stuffer Albert Belle, because he was such an intolerable human being. THere were dozens of stories about his bats and the suspicions, and there was the awesome Jason Grimsley story about swapping Belle's confiscated bat. If he had been nicer, it might not have been so frowned upon. (And Grimsley might have learned something about avoiding cheating rather than have his own HGH scandal.)

 

Of course, then Canseco spilled the beans and we learned what Jayson Stark summed up very well. "Fans don't like cheating if it leads to more home runs."

Edited November 20, 2020 by notin