On Thursday, the Seattle Mariners held a press conference and introduced Robinson Cano, his first appearance as an official member of the Mariners franchise. He was presented with a #22 white home jersey (props to him for not claiming #24, which he wore as a New York Yankee and Mariners fans know as Ken Griffey Jr.’s number). Then addressing the press, he seemed genuinely excited to be in Seattle. And while he said the Yankees didn’t show him respect and I always love some Yankee bashing, this doesn’t assuage my skepticism about this deal.
Consider some pros and cons with me on the matter:
Cons
1) $240 million/10 years
Wow. To say that is a lot of money is an understatement. I won’t tackle the conversation about how professional athletes are extremely overpaid. That’s a different animal. Signing this contract puts Cano with the likes of Alex Rodriguez ($252 million over 10 years with the Texas Rangers, signed in 2001; $275 million over 10 years with the Yankees, signed in 2008) and Albert Pujols ($240 million over 10 years, signed in 2012). The Mariners bid was $70 million more than the Yankees offer.
In addition to the exorbitant amount of money that disgusts me is the fact that Cano is currently 31 years old, in his prime now, but what about in a few years – the Mariners expect him to be productive past age 35? That is extremely rare for a position player. Pitchers and designated hitters, sure, but a second baseman who earns his keep on a team by diving and turning double plays, not so much.
2) Same Story, Same Result
Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Mariners fans have seen this same story play out at Safeco before: a talented player puts up career-high numbers with one team (often a lifer), comes to Seattle, then his numbers drop, he struggles at the plate and then before you know it, he’s benched and the Mariners gambled and lost. Such players that fit this description are Rich Aurilia, Adrian Beltre, Jeff Cirillo, Chone Figgins, and Richie Sexson to name a few.
3) Safeco Field is Not Yankee Stadium
Cano was signed out of high school by the Yankees in 2001 and played with them for eight years. Yankee Stadium was his only MLB home and that sandbox is a hitter’s gold mine. Down the left and right field line, it’s 318 and 314 feet, respectively, versus Safeco at 331 and 326 feet, respectively. Yankee Stadium is one of the most home run and hitter-friendly stadiums, while Safeco Field is notorious as a pitcher-friendly park, with one of the largest outfields and allowing the least number of home runs in the league.
Pros
1) Money to Burn
The Mariners are owned by Nintendo of America, which means they have money to spend. It’s been awhile since the Mariners signed a big name. After Cano, Felix Hernandez is the next highest paid Mariner when he signed an extension contract in 2013, seven years for $175 million. And in 2013, out of 30 clubs, the Mariners had the 24th largest salary.
It can be argued that in order to win, a team must spend money. Take the Houston Astros for example: they were one of the worst teams in baseball in 2013 and they had the lowest payroll in the MLB. But then again, look how well the Oakland Athletics and the Pittsburg Pirates did, turning their ball clubs around. They didn’t necessary do that by the power of the purse, with the 27th and 19th highest payrolls in 2013. But I guess for the Mariners, money is their best asset and only move – from the bottom, there’s nowhere else to go but up.
2) The Seattle Market
As fans know, Seattle doesn’t get a lot of love from the mainstream media. Admittedly, it’s warranted – there are many reasons to ignore the Mariners given their impressive 12 season losing streak not making the playoffs. As a relatively smaller sports market, signing Cano has gotten the Mariners major press and perhaps will heighten the team’s value and visibility, thus persuading other players who might want to play with All-Stars Cano, Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma to make Seattle their home.
3) Buhner 2.0?
Over the years, the Mariners have served as an informal farm team for the Yankees, where young and talented players start their careers with Mariners, only to get snatched up by the Yankees and spend their best and most productive years there, sometimes even becoming champions. Players like Raul Ibañez, Tino Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson – the list goes on. Even Ichiro followed suit, undoubtedly knowing this formula has worked for others. If baseball is like a family, the Mariners are the baseball equivalent to the “starter wife.”
Only a few Mariners players have done the opposite – started in New York, then defined their career in Seattle. One such player was Mariner favorite RF Jay Buhner. Buhner was drafted by the Pirates, but was traded to the Yankees, where he made his MLB debut. He spent two years in New York, then was traded to Seattle – this was considered one of the worst moves made by the Yankees and immortalized in a “Seinfield” episode. Who knows, maybe Cano will end up being one of the Mariners best moves.
Baseball may be a game, but it’s also a serious business. Will acquiring Cano mean wins for the Mariners, a championship, dreams of the World Series? Probably not – it takes more than just one guy. For me, the jury’s still out on my verdict of whether this move by the Mariners was brilliance or stupidity – time will tell, or at least 10 years!
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