As hard as it is to believe, there are actually six 2B who qualify for the FanGraphs leaderboards who are off to a worse offensive start than Robinson Cano and his .240 wOBA. If Cano was a SS, he would rank 26th out of 28 qualified players and if he was a 3B, he’d rank 25th out of 28.
Among all MLB hitters, he ranks 173rd out of 193 qualifiers.
If Jeff McNeil put up these numbers, he’d be chained to the end of the bench and would be mentioned prominently as a guy to be sent down when Todd Frazier returns. Instead, Cano bats third every day and the only time you hear his name mentioned it’s how he’s such a great mentor for Amed Rosario.
Forget membership, veteran-ness has its privileges.
Too early to panic over Cano though his hard hit rate and exit velo numbers are pretty ugly and are worrisome. The offense is humming along even with his struggles and he’s a notorious slow starter. Vargas and the bullpen are bigger issue.
Its not good when you go 1 for 5 and your BA increases, as it has for Cano in his last two starts.
I agreement Matt, veteran – ness has its privileges, and I don’t like it either.
Cano should have been rested before the other day. He also, temporarily, should have been moved to a lower batting position (5th or 6th) until he finds his stroke.
Callaway should have handled this “issue” and I think Cano would have been fine with Calloway’s decision of rest and batting position. Every player should have scheduled rests. It keeps them fresh and also keeps the bench players sharp. It is a very competitive and tough division and come September it may just be the last man standing . Callaway has to remove the “rookie manager yoke” and own these tough decisions.
Cano is not a problem presently. And like it or not, superstars with giant contracts get whatever leash they need to get corrected. It would be Memorial Day before Cano is moved off his batting order spot regardless of performance. And in reality, he understands these things from a lifetime in the game. McNeil, Rosario, Alonso etc do not have that perspective or proof of record. A team scoring this much does not have real hitting issues.
Meanwhile, there is a pitching matter that is most definitely worth attention, and it involves starters and relievers.
I have previously stated that I will no longer comment on how desperately the Metsies need K1 & K2, but it’s your mistake if you believed me. To wit:
K1 & K2 2019 MAGA (Mets Are Great Again – just as soon as those contracts are signed)
Love how Noah, Zack, and Matz responded after DeGrom got shelled against the Twins. I think a mortal human version of DeGrom lights a fire for those 3 and raises their game actually. Plus, DeGrom will be fine, so the top 4 starters are going to soon start pitching deeper into games – 6, 7 innings regularly, which will reset the bullpen, hopefully. But honest to god, I’ve never seen a pen give up so many runs so consistently outside of Diaz. Fortunately, it’s not just the Mets, but they need a few shutdown games in a row and soon. Exciting series on tap.
Drew Gagnon to the Bigs with Guillorme down. Depth!!!!!!