Former Major League Baseball second baseman Robinson Cano has signed with the Diablos Rojos of the Mexican Baseball League, the team announced on Friday. The announcement was made on the team’s social media platforms, accompanied by a highlight reel showcasing his 17-year MLB career. The details of the contract remain undisclosed.
Robinson Cano’s journey continues in Mexico
At 41 years old, Robinson Cano brings with him a storied career marked by numerous achievements, but also marred by a couple of suspensions due to performance-enhancing drug use. Beginning his career with the Yankees, Canó made a significant impact before transitioning to the Mariners in 2014 under a lucrative 10-year, $240 million contract, which stood as one of MLB’s largest at the time.
Despite initial success with the Mariners, Robinson Cano faced his first suspension in 2018 for testing positive for furosemide, resulting in an 80-game penalty. Although he returned to the field that season, he was later traded to the Mets alongside Edwin Díaz. Cano experienced fluctuations in performance, with a standout season in 2020, but another suspension in 2020, this time for Stanozolol, led to a 162-game ban, sidelining him for the entire 2021 season.
His subsequent years saw him move between teams, released by the Mets after a brief stint in 2022. Despite being a free agent since August 2022, his contractual obligations remained tied to the Mets until 2023. Despite this, no MLB club opted to sign him, citing concerns over his age, suspensions, and declining statistics.
Despite not playing in Major League Baseball since then, Robinson Cano has ventured into other areas related to the sport. In September 2022, he joined the ownership group of Baseball United, a professional baseball league based in Dubai. Additionally, he was selected as the sixth overall pick in the league’s inaugural draft, demonstrating his continued involvement in the sport.
In 2023, Robinson Cano participated in the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic and played winter ball in his home country. He also made brief appearances with the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball before being released in August 2022.
Nevertheless, Robinson Cano has maintained his passion for the game, participating in winter ball in the Dominican Republic and representing the Dominican Republic team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Now, he sets his sights on a new chapter with the Diablos Rojos for the 2024 season.
Robinson Cano’s MLB career boasts impressive statistics, including 2,267 games played, 2,639 hits, and 335 home runs. He has also accumulated accolades such as a World Series win with the Yankees in 2009, eight All-Star game appearances, five Silver Slugger awards, and two Gold Gloves. However, his achievements will forever be scrutinized due to his association with performance-enhancing drugs, a contentious issue that will follow him throughout his career.
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