On November 18th, 2020, the MLB announced that New York Mets’ Robinson Cano has been banned for the 2021 Season without pay. The 38-year old Second Baseman tested positive for PED’s for the second time in his career.
Cano is not the player he used to be. However, despite the old age, he still put together a pretty good campaign for the Mets in 2020. The former All-Star hit .316, with 10 HR and 30 RBI’s for the team. The Mets, who were one of the better offensive teams in the league last year, will be losing one of their best bats in the lineup. Although Cano has had a fantastic career, this suspension will most likely jeopardize his chances in being elected into the Hall of Fame, and might even end his career.
Is Robinson Cano Still a Hall of Famer?
The short, and easy answer is no, he is not a Hall of Famer anymore. Despite his 8 All Star appearances, 2 Gold Gloves, and 5 Silver Sluggers, it is very unlikely that a player that has tested positive for PED’s twice will find a spot in Cooperstown. Similar to players like Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, Cano was one of the best players of his generation. However, Bonds and Rodriguez still haven’t been elected into the Hall of Fame due to steroid use. It is unlikely that the voters will make an exception for Cano.
It is truly sad seeing a player as beloved as Cano be in this situation. He has been a fan favorite for mostly his entire career, but won’t have a gold plaque in Cooperstown to show for it.
Is Robinson Cano’s Career Over?
Cano is on his 8th year of a 10yr, 240 million dollar contract that he signed in 2014 with Seattle. It is uncertain if we will see Cano play through his contract, that will end after he 2023 season. After the 2021 ban, Cano will be 39 years old. He might realize himself that he won’t be able to hold any benefit for his team, and retire. Money is money, though. The Second Baseman might want to play out the rest of his contract, as he would be making 24 million dollars a year until 2023, not including the 2021 season, of course. Not bad for a guy who will be 40 years old in 2023.
Certainly, it will be a sad day for baseball fans if Cano retires due to do the one year ban. Whether you hate him after this situation or not, he was always one of the most excited players to watch at the plate, and in the field. As a fan of Cano, I hope he returns after the 2021 season and is able to contribute for the Mets, without cheating, of course.
If Cano’s career ended today, Cano will end with a .303 career BA, 334 HR’s. and 1,302 RBI’s. He also won a World Series with the Yankees back in 2009. Even with that impressive resume, he will most likely not find himself a spot in Cooperstown. However, he will still go down as an all-time great. Or, an all-time great cheater, depending on how you look at it.
