Mets' Robinson Cano strengthens his legs to stay healthy this season
Mets second baseman Robinson Cano tips his cap to the crowd as he comes out of the MLB baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — With improved health will come improved performance, Robinson Cano said Sunday. That is why he focused this offseason on strengthening his legs, a problem area for him in 2019.
“I know I can do better, and that’s my goal this year, stay healthy,” he said. “I know if I’m healthy I can be myself. I can be the Robbie you guys always used to see playing this game.”
A brief summation of his first season with the Mets: After joining the team in a blockbuster trade — in which general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Cano’s former agent, mortgaged a noteworthy part of the team’s future in the form of prospect Jarred Kelenic — Cano disappointed. He hit .256 with a .307 OBP and .428 slugging percentage, all well below his career norms.
It didn’t help that he was hit by pitches on the hands several times, and he thrice went on the injured list because of leg injuries.
“Bad year last year,” Cano said. “I was injured. That’s not an excuse, but I know if I’m healthy, I can play this game the way I used to play.”
With the Mets’ top second-base alternative, Jeff McNeil, penciled in as the starter at third, a rebound by Cano is critical to the team’s success — this year and beyond. Cano, 37, is due a $24 million salary each of the next four seasons.
He will play this season under first-year manager Luis Rojas, who got to know Cano last year as the quality control coach. When Rojas managed the Dominican Republic team in an Olympics qualifier during the offseason, Cano’s father, Jose Cano, was on his coaching staff.
“I don’t want to say we’re best friends, because we’re not, but we got to talk a lot last year,” Cano said. “We got along pretty good.”
Extra bases
Yoenis Cespedes will participate in the Mets’ first full-squad workout Monday, Van Wagenen said. Cespedes has been working out mostly on his own schedule in Port St. Lucie as he recovers from a broken ankle . . . The Mets hosted a clinic for about 100 local Special Olympic athletes and their families. Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, Dominic Smith and Tim Tebow were among those who helped out.
