Mets release slumping Cano with almost $45 million US left on deal

The New York Mets released second baseman Robinson Cano prior to Sunday's doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The move comes a week after the slumping Cano was designated for assignment despite nearly $45 million US remaining on his contract.

The Mets announced the news in their pre-game notes and after manager Buck Showalter met with reporters prior to Sunday's games.

Now that he has been released by the Mets, a team could sign him for a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum this season and also pay the $710,000 minimum in 2023.

The 39-year-old Cano sat out last season while serving his second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He batted .195 (8-for-41) with one home run, three runs batted in and a paltry .501 on-base plus slugging in 43 plate appearances for the National League East-leading Mets.

Despite his early struggles in a reduced role, the decision to jettison Cano was still a complicated one for the Mets — and not only because of all the money he's owed.

He remained a popular veteran in the clubhouse happy to share his baseball wisdom. Cano and several teammates have said they were confident he would eventually produce at the plate if given the opportunity. And with the writing perhaps on the wall, star shortstop Francisco Lindor said Sunday he wouldn't be happy if Cano was cut.

Mets manager Buck Showalter acknowledged it's challenging for a veteran player such as Cano, accustomed to being in the lineup every day, to adjust and flourish as a part-time player.

"I don't care how experienced you are, it's tough. And I'm very empathetic to that," Showalter said recently. "It's difficult for him. I'm aware of that. It's difficult for a lot of guys. It's difficult for J.D. Davis, Dom Smith, [Luis] Guillorme."

An eight-time all-star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Cano spent his first nine big league seasons across town with the New York Yankees and helped them win the 2009 World Series. He has won five Silver Slugger awards and was MVP of the 2017 All-Star Game.

$36M lost from drug suspensions

Cano has a .302 career batting average with 335 home runs, 1,305 RBI and an .842 OPS in 17 seasons. He has 2,632 hits, including 571 doubles.

Cano is owed $44,703,297 by the Mets from the remainder of the 10-year, $240-million contract he signed with Seattle. He has lost $36,258,065 because of the two drug suspensions.

Seattle remains responsible for a final $3.75 million payment to the Mets this Dec. 1, part of $20 million the Mariners agreed to pay New York at the time they sent Cano to the Mets in a polarizing trade made by former New York general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in December 2018.

In a deal that also netted closer Edwin Diaz, the Mets shipped five players to Seattle, including prized outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. New York agreed to assume $100 million left on the final five years of Cano's contract at the time.

Cano ended up playing only 168 games for the Mets, batting .269 with 24 homers, 72 RBI and a .765 OPS.