Two of the most lovable and productive Yankees from the last four years departed one after the other this afternoon. Just after the shock of Robinson Cano’s impending move to Seattle sunk in, Curtis Granderson was gone too.
Robinson Cano
I’m not in agreement with all of the Yankees’ moves this offseason, but letting Cano go was a wise decision. Their final offer was for 7 years, $175 million – exactly as high as I’d go if I were managing the payroll.
If you’re bashing Cano for taking the money instead of staying with the team he signed with 12 years ago, I am completely on your side. Sure, if I were presented with $65 million more dollars, it would be hard to deny that offer.
But come on, show some heart. Where’s the hometown discount? Where’s the guy who’d rather win another ring than be a rich loser in the rain? (I’ve got nothing against Seattle, I’m sure it’s a wonderful city. But, the Mariners haven’t reached the postseason since Ichiro’s rookie year, the same year the Yankees signed Cano: 2001.)
Give the Yankees some credit. Of course, they would have loved to see Cano back in pinstripes. But paying a 41-year-old $24 million just doesn’t make any sense. They learned from their mistakes with the A-Rod re-signing. I’m not saying that 10-year deals in general don’t make sense. For example, I would have loved to see the Yankees and Cano agree to a front-loaded contract of, say, $25 million per year for the first five and $17 million for the final five seasons. Maybe I’m dreaming.
Not many single players can replace Cano’s production, but a few combined can. And that’s just what the Yankees have done. Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury should do the trick.
Curtis Granderson
The Mets have finally added a much-needed asset to their lineup. Who was their last big offensive acquisition, anyway? Beltran? With Grandy, the Mets get:
– a left-hander with a lot of pop to protect David Wright.
– a good, versatile fielder with a so-so arm.
– good speed, just not as good as it used to be.
– a lot of strikeouts. No doubt about it.
– a great, great clubhouse guy. He’s the ultimate professional. Class act.
The Yankees would have liked to have Granderson back, but he rejected their qualifying offer of $14.1 million.
