Robinson Cano: What $240 million buys in today’s MLB

Robinson Cano raked in $57 million as a New York Yankee from 2006-2013. He will reap near that number in just two years of his 10-year, $240 million free agent signing with the Seattle Mariners. Robinson (given his first name by his family’s affinity for Jackie Robinson) took it a step further by establishing himself as the highest paid individual for the same position the man he was named after played.

Ian Kinser ($16 million), Chase Utley ($15 million), and Dustin Pedroia ($12.6 million) are his closest peers. Cano along with Jacoby Ellsbury where the pre-eminent free agents in the 2013 offseason. He was graded higher than Ellsbury, a major reason being his impeccable track record of literally being an “everyday player.”

While Cano was an organic product developed within New York’s system, the Yankees were content on spreading their millions to Masahiro Tanaka and Ellsbury instead of rewarding Cano with a record-breaking salary. The ubiquitous Yankee financial capabilities enveloped broader areas of need instead of fully committing to one player.

The Seattle Mariners Nintendo ownership group deemed Cano worthy enough to pay him commensurate to what the game’s most productive sluggers receive. Common theory being if the former Yankee didn’t join Seattle, another team would have swooped in with a similar offer. One that was destined to pay him more than former A.L. East rival Dustin Pedroia’s $100 million extension.

Cano’s statistics and reputation precede him. He’s the most productive second baseman of his generation, winning five Silver Slugger Awards, six All Star appearances (including five straight), two Gold Glove awards.

He played 160 games a season and his power numbers spiked once the Yankees moved into their new stadium in 2009. The Mariners invested in a 31-year-old’s resume, but aren’t guaranteed the substantial annual returns Cano boasted in New York.

For one thing, half of his games are played within pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. He openly conceded to reporters in spring training the Mariners needed another bat in their lineup to assist his efforts. Batting with Corey Hart, Justin Smoak, Logan Morrison, or Kendrys Morales isn’t analogous to his days spent in a power-laden New York batting order.

Cano benefited hitting behind the likes of Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, Giambi, and Rodriguez. Once these sluggers departed because of age, injuries, or PED scandals, only then did Cano bat third or fourth. He produced in every role and thrived when new Yankee Stadium opened in 2009.

A right field jet stream bolstered his efforts. Cano never hit fewer than 25 bombs from 2009-2013. He drove in over 100 runs in three seasons and cranked a career-high 33 round trippers in 2012. With less than a month remaining and the Mariners alive for a wild card slot, his 2014 numbers are more in tune with his first couple seasons with the Yankees, when he batted much lower in their order.

Cano is hitting .321, fourth-best in the American League. Never prone to outrageous strikeout totals, Cano’s .386 on-base percentage is a career-best and fourth-highest in the A.L. His .458 slugging percentage is above-average, but wilts in comparison to the gaudy .500 numbers he posted as a Yankee. His .844 on-base plus slugging ranks 11th in A.L.

His slick fielding prowess has translated to a meager five errors in 134 games played at second. Durability is a constant. With seven games at DH, Cano has been in the lineup for 141 of his team’s 145 games in 2014. Various intricate baseball stat aficionados posit Cano is having a great year.

The nuts and bolts of it is no highlights (besides playoff or World Series games) show productive RBI outs or walks. Cano has 12 home runs and 75 RBI with three weeks left in September. Not to mention Felix Hernandez presents a better case for A.L. MVP, Cy Young Award notwithstanding.

Cano was offered a mega-deal in the wake of feeble offenses subjugated to burgeoning pitching talents across baseball. As years pass, $240 million for a second baseman in a post-2007 era where offense is at a premium doesn’t look as if Seattle will receive its due. Return on investment may not fulfill the Mariners’ expectations, but if it wasn’t Seattle, numerous MLB teams surely adjudicated Cano to be MLB’s premier second baseman.

His deal is the fourth-largest financial commitment for one player in MLB history. It ties Albert Pujols’ Angels deal from 2012. Only Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera possess more lucrative incomes.

Pujols’ first two seasons in Los Angeles were riddled with injury and void of major production. He’s rebounded nicely (for one year) at 34 with 26 home run and 91 RBI.

That may happen too with Cano. Except now Seattle’s in an unenviable position of paying $24 million annually for resurgent seasons over a decade from a guy closer to 40 than his prime years.

Offensive numbers are plummeting while hitters salaries keep increasing. The inextricable link between salaries and broadcasting contracts are endorsing less prolific offensive numbers as if it’s the late 1990s or early 2000s.

Cano’s salary in relation to his production has to aggravate immortal baseball icons Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, and Joe Morgan. Hall of Fame second sackers of who thrived in less affluent baseball periods.