MLB trade rumors: Mariners’ Robinson Cano to Yankees? What a deal could look like

New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius will miss the start of the 2019 season after having Tommy John surgery. General manager Brian Cashman could sign free-agent slugger Manny Machado to fill the hole at short. But he could also trade for Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano.

One of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman’s top priorities during the offseason is to figure out who will be the opening day shortstop in 2019.

With Didi Gregorius out after having Tommy John surgery, Cashman is expected to look at free-agent slugger Manny Machado.

But Cashman could also have an option on the trade market, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal:

First baseman/DH types are plentiful, and a team in need easily can find one who is younger than 36 and earning less than $24 million annually. For the Mariners to stand any chance of moving Cano, they almost certainly would need to take back an inflated contract or two. But good luck finding even a potential match.

A return to the New York Yankees probably would be the preference of Cano, who holds a full no-trade clause. The Yankees could send the Mariners outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, a native of Madras, Ore., who is owed $47.2 million, including a $5 million buyout on his club option for 2021. But what would be the point?

Ellsbury, who also holds a full no-trade clause, might represent dead money, but only for the next two years. About the last thing the Yankees or any other team wants is five years of an older player with limited defensive versatility and a punctured image, even at a reduced price.

Cano surely wants to salvage his legacy, but his path to Cooperstown might be as difficult to forge as his path out of Seattle. He made his choices. Now he faces the consequences.

Imagining trade for Mariners’ James Paxton

In theory, trading for Cano would allow manager Aaron Boone to slide Gleyber Torres to shortstop to replace Gregorius.

Cano is signed for five more seasons at $24 million per season, according to Spotrac.

Keep in mind Cano missed 80 games last season for violating baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement.

Cano made his big-league debut with the Yankees in 2005, when he was 22 years old.

In nine seasons in the Bronx, Cano hit .309 with 204 home runs. He was a five-time All-Star for the Yankees and helped New York win the 2009 World Series.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.