There is “significant momentum” building toward a Robinson Cano trade to the Mets

There is “significant momentum” building toward a trade between the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners that would send Robinson Cano to New York, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. In the deal, the Mets are rumored to be receiving both Cano and All-Star closer Edwin Díaz. While Passan’s sources indicate that a deal is not done yet, the expectation is that the trade will get finished.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Mets were being “aggressive” in an effort to land the 36-year-old second baseman. Cano has five years left on his 10-year deal and is still owed $120 million. The Mariners are expected to kick in some money to pay for part of Cano’s contract, but an amount has not yet been revealed. The Mariners, who Passan indicates are “extremely motivated to move Cano”, would also be parting with 24-year-old Díaz, who is still under team control for four more seasons.

The Mets will likely include a large contract of their own in the deal, such as outfielder Jay Bruce. In addition, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the two sides are discussing outfielder Jarred Kelenic and pitcher Justin Dunn in the trade. The Mets selected Kelenic sixth overall in last year’s MLB Draft and chose pitcher Dunn 19th overall in the 2016 draft. Kelenic and Dunn are currently ranked 62nd and 89th, respectively, by MLB Pipeline on the Top 100 prospects list.

Cano hit .303/.374/.471 with 10 home runs in 80 games for the Mariners last season, to go along with a 136 wRC+ and a 2.9 fWAR. Cano, who played at least 150 games in each of the previous 11 seasons, missed over half of last year after testing positive for a banned substance and being suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball. The suspension didn’t seem to slow down his play, as he posted an .860 OPS and a 140 wRC+ in 41 games from mid-August through the end of the season.

Díaz would also be a sizable get for the Mets, as he put together a stellar 2018 campaign and immediately fills the team’s void at closer. In 73.1 innings pitched, Díaz posted a 1.96 ERA, a 1.61 FIP, and a 0.79 WHIP while leading the American League with 57 saves. Díaz finished eighth in the American League Cy Young voting and 18th in the American League MVP voting.