Robinson Cano, Mariners are thriving
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, right, and Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano pose for pictures during a red carpet event that preceded the Summer Classic Charity Basketball Game at the Barclays Center on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014. Credit: James Escher
Life is pretty good when you're the starting second baseman of a team that's trending upward and is in serious contention for a postseason berth.
Just ask Robinson Cano.
"I can't complain," said Cano, the former Yankees' All-Star who has helped transform the Mariners from mediocre to mighty this season. "We're playing really good and when you're playing good, you always have fun."
And when you're not? Well, just ask Cano's former teammates how that feels. They certainly could use his bat in the lineup.
Cano owns a slash line of .329/.397/.469, which would lead the Yankees in each category. He has 11 homers and 69 RBIs.
Meanwhile, Yankees second basemen are batting a combined .241 with 40 RBIs and a .303 OBP.
Does Cano think the Yankees miss him in the lineup?
"I don't know," Cano said. "You have to ask them."
Judging by the standings, it looks as if Cano is having a bit more fun than his former mates.
After managing to not get swept by the lowly Astros Thursday, the Yankees (64-61) are four games behind for the second wild-card spot.
Guess who is one of two teams the Yankees are trailing?
Cano's Mariners are 68-58 and trail the Tigers (68-57) by only one-half game for the second wild card.
Turns out, in Seattle, Cano, who signed a 10-year, $240-million contract in the offseason, can have his money and win, too.
"I have no regrets with what I did. I made my decision," said Cano, who attended the Summer Classic Charity Basketball Game at Barclays Center Thursday night.
The event was presented by CC Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation and Robinson Cano's RC22 Foundation.
Before the game, Cano posed for pictures with Sabathia and Derek Jeter. Instead of joining them at the Stadium on Friday, Cano and the Mariners will visit Boston and take on the Red Sox.
Cano acknowledged how much injuries have hurt the Yankees, but he called them "a good team" and didn't count them out. Not that he's paying too much attention to how the Yankees are doing.
"We're so far away," Cano said. "By the time we play, they're already done."
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