Disregard your well-deserved hatred for Alex Rodriguez and the dark clouds that follow him – animosity he created all on his own. Simply look at the stats and you tell me, is Robinson Cano a similar player?
I think not, not by a longshot. This conversation is being brought up due to reports that Cano, the best second basemen in baseball, is looking to sign a 10-year, $305 million dollar deal. The free agent-to-be has his eyes on AROD money and it’s clear that his allegiance is towards the highest bidder, not his current club, the New York Yankees.
Rodriguez’s reputation is at an all-time low and while I understand the putrid feelings many have, the facts reside in his stats. Since the early 90s, AROD has put together unthinkable stats. His career numbers are astounding, he currently has: 654 HRs, 1969 RBIs, and a batting average of .299. He sits fifth and sixth respectively for all-time rankings in home runs and runs batted in. Those ahead of him are named: Bonds, Aaron and some guy named Ruth.
AROD’s stats fortify the lucrative paydays he received from the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. The same cannot be said for Cano.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
A repeat .300 hitter, Cano is a five-tool player that will make any team a contender that he decides to sign with. But, the Dominican Republic product has hit more than 30-home runs once in a season and his season high for runs batted in is 118.
From 1996-2010, Rodriguez hit more than 30 HRs and 100 RBIs in every season except for 1997. In that span AROD had 12 seasons with more than 35 home runs including three seasons with more than 50 home runs.
Cano’s ability is not being questioned, it’s his true value. While baseball is infamous for paying outrageous salaries, this will not come to fruition. It’s hard to fathom an owner wanting to pay a second basemen, a player that hits in the low 30s and hits in around 100-110 runs a year, would command such top dollar.
In the past 15 years, the MLB has seen its fair share of players signing eye-gawking deals. Rodriguez signed two deals combining for more than $500 million while Albert Pujols, Joey Votto and Prince Fielder all inked their name on the dotted line for deals that were for more than $200 million.
The said players all had one thing in common, a propensity for hitting the long ball. Infield mate Derek Jeter signed a well-deserved lucrative deal with the Yankees back in 2001. The deal was for 10-years and was reportedly worth $189 million. While Cano is a better player, Jeter was paid for the overall impact he had and still has on the club. The lynchpin to five World Series teams, Jeter is a living legend and will surpass players named Mantle and Ruth as the face of the franchise.
Before the season Cano made headlines for his decision to drop then-agent Scott Boras, the man responsible for practically every major deal in baseball. Cano signed with Roc Nation Sports, which is partners with one of the mega-agencies in the sports world, Collective Artists Agency. Roc Nation was created by Shawn Carter, better known by his stage name Jay Z. Cano’s decision created typhoon-like waves and the same can be said if the perennial All Star comes close to the $300 he’s commanding.
While big money has been spent on sluggers and aces, Cano’s driven to get the well-rounded players paid what he thinks they deserve. Jose Reyes, now with the Toronto Blue Jays, signed a 6-year, $102 million deal with the Miami Marlins back in 2011. Back in 2007, Chase Utley signed an extension with the Philadelphia Phillies for 7-years, $85 million.
While Cano trumps Reyes, Utley was a stud in his prime and from 2005-2009, he was arguably the best second baseman in baseball. The epitome of a grinder, year-after-year Utley’s stats were off the charts. In 2008, Utley his 33 home runs and drove in 104 runs while leading the way for the Phillies to win the World Series. Over the five year span, Utley’s numbers averaged out to: .301 average, 29 home runs, 39 doubles, and 101 runs batted in. He was also awarded four gold gloves during that time frame.
While Cano is asking for a significant amount of money compared to players such as Reyes and Utley, his numbers are nearly identical with Utley who I mentioned previously was extended for $85 million. From 2009-2013, Cano’s peak seasons, his average for the most notable stats include: .313 average, 28 home runs, 44 doubles and 102 runs batted in.
Cano is 30-years-old and is in the midst of his prime. But, is a .313 and 28 home run player worthy of $300 million dollars?
I think not and would be shocked if an MLB club is willing to fork over that much money. While Cano is a superstar, his reputation is only magnified due to the location in which he calls his home stadium. A Yankee will always receive the highest form of attention but when the stats are laid out, he’s not much better than a player who was paid $85 million.
