Padres reportedly close to deal with Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is expected to catch on with the Padres after being cut loose by the Mets. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Padres reportedly close to deal with eight-time All-Star Robinson Cano

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/12/22

Veteran second baseman Robinson Cano was hoping to find one last spark for his career with the New York Mets this spring after he missed the entire 2021 season while serving a suspension related to performance-enhancing drugs.

However, the Mets designated Cano for assignment earlier this month and ultimately released him even though he still had nearly $45 million left on his contract.

It seems the 39-year-old won't have to wait long to find a new MLB home.

According to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman (h/t Justin Tasch) of the New York Post, Cano is nearing a big-league deal with the San Diego Padres. The Athletic's Dennis Lin added:

Fernando Tatis Jr. grew up minutes from Canó in San Pedro de Macoris. There might not be room for Canó on the roster when Tatis returns from the IL, but the Padres evidently are considering more than on-field factors here.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) May 12, 2022

Cano's future role with the Padres is unclear.

At his best, Cano was an eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger, but those days are now well in the past. He was slashing .195/.233/.268 with one home run and three RBIs in 41 at-bats when the Mets showed him the door so that the likes of Dominic Smith could remain on the roster, but general manager Billy Eppler later said Cano could potentially return to the organization "in a different capacity." It appears that won't happen before summer arrives, if at all.

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