New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug stenozolol, Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday. Because it is his second positive test, Cano has been postponed for the entire 2021 season. Canoe also suspended 80 games in 2018 under the Prohibited Substances Policy.
“We were deeply disappointed to report to Robinson about the suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” team president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “His violation is very unfortunate for him, for the organization, for our fans and for the game. The Mets fully support the MLB’s efforts to remove performance-enhancing substances from the game.”
Cano, 38, will forfeit a salary of 24 24 million due to the suspension. With the mats on the rest of the hook, the miners are responsible for 75 3.75 million of Cano’s salary. Cano is under contract for 23 24 million annually by 2023, so he is expected to rejoin Spring Training in New York in 2022.
The epidemic-shortened 2020 season was Canoe’s best in several years. He wrote a .316 / .352 / .544 batting line with 10 home runs in 49 games, the same as his top years. Canoe has a career.302 / .352 / .492 hitter with 2,624 hits and 334 homers, numbers that are Hall of Fame-caliber for the second baseman. However, after two PED suspensions it is difficult to see him entering Cooperstown.
For the Meats, the Canoe suspension clears up their infield logjam a bit. They could easily re-introduce Jeff McNeil to his natural position, in second place, playing Jeff Davis ’third base full-time. This allows them to put Michael Calforto and Brandon Nimmo in the outfield corner and chase the natural center fielder in this se fasen.
Of course, the Mets now have an extra. 20.25 million burning a hole in their pockets, and new owner Steve Cohen has hinted that he’s pretty ready to spend this winter. Canoe’s suspension could force the Mets to steal away from Free Agent’s second baseman DJ Lemhiu away from crosstown rival Yankee.
