Robinson Cano has been suspended for the 2021 season due to testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, per multiple reports. This is the second positive test for the New York Mets second baseman, which is why his suspension is for a full year, rather than 80 games.
Cano’s first suspension was in 2018, while he was still with the Seattle Mariners. After the 2018 season, the M’s dealt Cano and reliever Edwin Diaz, along with some cash, to the Mets for a package headlined by outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic. The Mets, at the time, had Cano’s former agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, as their g.m. Cano had a disappointing and injury-plagued 2019 campaign, but bounced back to put up an 896 OPS in 2020.
Cano’s future would seem to be particularly cloudy, as he will be 39 when his suspension is up, and will be coming off a missed season. He is slated to make $24 million per year through 2023, the last year of his contract, though he obviously won’t be paid for the 2021 season. New Mets owner Steve Cohen may decide it’s worth bringing Cano back in 2022 and seeing if he’s got anything left in the tank. On the other hand, he may decide it’s not worth the p.r. hit and cut ties and move on.