The Seattle Mariners contacted both the Yankees and the New York Mets on Monday to discuss a possible trade for Robinson Cano.
After waiving James Paxton less than two weeks ago, the Mariners are making efforts to offload second baseman Cano and the $120 million they still owe him in his contract.
While writing for the Athletic, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said the Mariners weren’t just thinking about trading Cano but were actively looking for a suitable team. New York is the most favorable destination for the 36-year-old. He played for the Yankees between 2005 and 2013 but moved to Seattle after a monster 10-year, $240 million, contract.
Just this offseason, there were reports the Mariners were arranging a deal to exchange Cano for Yankees’ Jacob Ellsbury who is owed $47.2 million in the course of the next two years. The trade agreements collapsed after Mariners failed to match the offer made.
With Cano’s subpar performance last this year, money may not have been the real issue in the deal. The 36-year-old only managed 10 career starts at Seattle despite earning $24 million per season. Add the player’s drug problems that got him suspended for 80 games and his age. Should he remain at Seattle, only an improvement in performance will make it easier to find a team that wants him during the midseason acquisition.
