Mets: 1 contract New York would like to erase

If you want to know what the New York Mets’ worst contract on the books is, look no further than the one belonging to second baseman Robinson Cano.

While it is no Bobby Bonilla annuity, the New York Mets‘ contract with second baseman Robinson Cano has to be one of the very worst in MLB today.

At his peak, Cano was one of the best second basemen in all of baseball. He is an eight-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger recipient, a two-time Gold Glove winner and a 2009 World Series champion. Unfortunately, the 38-year-old middle infielder from the Dominican Republic will be paid $24 million to not play a single inning for the 2021 Mets. He is under contract through 2023.

Robinson Cano got popped with PEDs for a second time and will miss all of 2021

Cano initially signed this gargantuan 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2014 MLB season. While he was a three-time AL All-Star with the M’s, Seattle never came close to ending its league-worst postseason drought during his five years in Seattle uniform. Ahead of the 2019 MLB season, Cano was traded to the Mets in a blockbuster deal for all involved.

Though Cano has played well in his two years with the Amazins, him not being able to play an inning for them in his age-38 2021 season is such an albatross. He is slated to make $24 million in annual salary from the Mets in each of the next three years before his 10-year deal expires. He will be 41 years old entering 2024 MLB free agency. There is nothing to like about this contract.

If you can pay Bonilla not to play for you for years, why not do the same thing with Cano for one?