Robinson Cano started the season with the New York Mets and now he’ll be playing for one of their bitter rivals. The former New York Yankees and Mets second baseman was traded on Sunday from the San Diego Padres to the Atlanta Braves.
According to Jon Heyman, Cano, who was traded for cash considerations, could be back in the big leagues as soon as Monday against the Mets.
Braves are expected to add Cano to the Major League team as early as tomorrow. So good deal for him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 10, 2022
The 39-year-old began the season with the Mets but was released in May following a subpar start in 12 games. The Padres soon signed him to a contract but the eight-time All-Star’s struggles continued in 12 games there. The Padres asked Cano to head for the minor leagues but he declined and was released. However, after there were no bites on the free agency market, he agreed to a minor-league deal with the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas.
The Braves were desperate for a solid left-handed batter to come off the bench or pinch-hit for them, so Cano made sense to take a chance.
If Cano wants to get some revenge on the Mets for cutting him, he has the perfect opportunity. Not only are the Braves just 1.5 games back in the National League East but New York is still on the hook for around $20 million of his salary this season. So he could quite literally help dethrone the division leader that is paying him to do so.
Cano is also hitting a career-low .149 with 11 hits in 74 at-bats this season, so, that might also be asking too much.
