Robinson who?
The Yankees’ offseason decision not to match the Mariners’ 10-year, $240 million offer for Robinson Cano, and instead disperse their funds on a slew of other free agents, has paid off in the first month of the season. The players they did sign — Jacoby Ellsbury, Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran — have all performed anywhere from decently to spectacularly at the start of their pinstriped career.
“Obviously, they wanted [Cano] back and they are going to miss his presence in the lineup and at second base, but the Yankees felt very comfortable in the offer that they made and they moved in a different direction,” YES Network analyst John Flaherty said.
“Between Derek Jeter’s retirement and Tanaka, Ellsbury, Beltran and McCann arriving, Robinson wasn’t a big topic of conversation. Everything else seemed to dominate all the conversation in spring training and early this year. He hasn’t been much of a conversation at all.’’
Cano, who is hitting .280 with one homer and eight RBIs, will be a topic of conversation on Tuesday when he leads the Mariners into The Bronx for a three-game series. After a promising 6-3 start, the Mariners (8-13) are battling the Astros for last place in the AL West.
But Mariners play-by-play man and SiriusXM host Dave Sims said he has been impressed with Cano since his arrival in Seattle. In New York, Cano blended in with the Yankees’ bevy of stars. That is not the case in the Pacific Northwest.
“He’s been very proactive in taking a leadership role in the clubhouse,” Sims said.
“He’s been outstanding, great with the media, great in the field. He only has one home run, but consistently he is taking what they are giving him. He’s using the whole field, he hasn’t had too many opportunities to pull. He’s been a tremendous influence. He’s a veteran guy and the guys appreciate that he brings a lot to the table. He’s helped Justin Smoak tremendously handling the pitch on the inside corner. It’s been all good. It’s been all thumbs up.”
The Yankees haven’t exactly found a way to fill the massive hole left by Cano at second base. Brian Roberts, who has been the primary replacement, is hitting .220. Yangervis Solarte potentially could see more time there with Mark Teixeira now healthy, freeing Kelly Johnson to play third base, and giving Solarte more time at second.
But Cano’s production, and then some, has been made up for by the high-priced additions.
“The worst-case scenario for the Yankees was getting off to a slow start and not scoring any runs,” Flaherty said.
“Then all of a sudden you feel the loss of Robinson and what he can do to a lineup, and obviously the type of second base that he plays. But McCann is swinging great, Beltran flying under the radar has been very productive. … To be honest, Ellsbury is a better player seeing him every day.
“His at-bats are consistent and productive and he’s a great defender, which I kind of knew, but he wreaks havoc on the base paths. His total game is so much better than I thought it was. The three signings seem to be brilliant in what they have brought to the table so far.”