The Robinson Cano Resurgence No One Is Talking About

Much has been made of Robinson Cano’s offensive resurgence in the young 2016 season, and rightfully so. After 34 games this season, Cano has hit 12 HR, half of his 2015 total and a number he didn’t reach until early August. He’s hitting .303/.349/.606 with 12 HR, 33 RBI, and 22 runs. The 33 RBI leads major league baseball and his 12 HR is one behind Colorado Rockies’ 3B, Nolan Arenado. But the bat doesn’t tell the whole story.

After having several seasons in New York where he fielded his position above league average – 2007, 2010, and 2012 for a respective 23, 16, and 16 runs saved above league average for the positon – Cano arrived in Seattle to post 0 runs saved above average in 2014 and -9 runs saved below average last year. The once hard hitting, sure fielding Cano had become neither. But, just like with the lumber, the leather has turned around this year as well.

So far this season, Cano has saved 2 runs above league average and is on a pace to save 8 runs above league average over the entirety of the season. With a net defensive improvement of 17 runs at second base, the Mariners could reasonably expect to win two more games. And if two wins doesn’t seem to be that significant, think how an extra two W’s would have changed the outcome of the 2014 season.

But let’s dig a little deeper. The average second baseman in the big leagues is a pretty good fielder, as are most shortstops. So, while Cano is fielding his position 2 runs above league average and potentially 8 runs above average for the season, he is actually helping his team to the tune of 22 runs per year, or 20 better than last year, slightly over two wins.

Much mystery surrounded Cano’s health last season – a stomach ailment that left him unable to eat much and hen hernia surgery in the offseason – but it certainly appears that he is healthy and performing at career high levels. While it may be unrealistic to expect Cano to continue on his current offensive and defensive paces – after all he is 32 and a baseball season is long and arduous – Mariners’ fans should be extremely happy to see performance more worthy of a 10 year / $240-million-dollar contract.