WHEN IT COMES TO CANO, REPUTATION COMES TO MIND

Sure, it’s all in the perception of an incident and how the individual handles it, but I gotta tell you, years ago I learned a valuable lesson from my old man and it stuck with me.  It has to do with reputation.

A while back I lost a friend of mine who died in a tragic accident.  I wrote ONE OF THE GREATEST GUYS I'LL EVER MISS , and with  that, I proceeded to tell you a story about me and that buddy in our college years and the antics we pulled one night that eventually laid out a short phrase that would forever be engraved in my mind:

"You can be a champion all your life, but you miss 1 commitment, you lose trust in 1 person, and the rest of your life, you lose." 

I’m 44 now and I explain the same life lesson to my kids.  Let’s keep it real… Jose Cano has never said that to Robinson Cano.

That’s quite evident to me because he left in 2013. He left for the money for a new life in Seattle and hey, good for him… I don’t fault him for that.  I do fault him for not thinking it through.  I do fault him for not realizing what a move that big would do to his reputation. There's that word again...REPUTATION.  It just looks really, really bad.

Hey, it looked bad when Alex Rodriguez did it when he signed with Texas.  It almost seemed worse when Cano did it, leaving New York behind.

Reputation is a valuable thing.  Cano destroyed his.  Sure, he may be generous, a sweet guy who does a lot for the kids and his family and all of that.  It doesn’t matter.  People view him differently now. To many, he’s selfish, self centered, arrogant, an ego-maniac… and yes, greedy.

Andy Van Slyke, a former coach for the Mariners blasted Cano last week.  Let's face it, he didn’t blast Cano as a person, as a player. He actually blasted him for his contract.  That contract, as Van Slyke tried to lay out “cost people their jobs.”  His wording to the press echoed all over baseball.

Now look, the ball players aren’t phased by any of this.  They're all trying to get their next nut.  But this is more about the perception of all of this from a former coach to the fans.  Baseball fans.  Now Cano looks bad.  Don’t be foolish… Van Slyke chose his phrasing wisely.  It was a warning shot. It’s a “You screwed a lot of guys over there in Seattle, this ones for you”, and yes, he couched it, suggesting that Cano’s a good guy.  Doesn’t matter… too late… fans already think he’s not.

I don’t see Cano coming to New York.  I don’t see the Yankees wanting him back.  I see the Yankees taking a stance of working with what they have and eventually building new franchise players, merely because the next anointed one was too stupid to realize it was him.  Cano wanted to be the king of the mountain, and he was too dumb to understand that waiting for Jeter and signing a fair contract in the Bronx would have brought him that.  Jay-Z got paid in that deal, and Cano’s standing in Seattle wondering if he got swindled by his agent.  Guess what Robbie… you did.  Sure you’re rich, but you’ll never be a leader in Seattle, you’ll never hit .300 again.  I hope it was worth it.

Don’t get me wrong… I don’t hate.  I think Cano’s one of the best. But role models need to be exactly that.  I don’t want my kid coming to me telling me he loves a player because “That dude’s getting paid.”  I want my son to come to me and tell me he loves a player because “He leads by example, works hard, provides integrity and heart on the field every day.”  Cano’s not that guy.  Sure, maybe it’s my perception. Maybe I’m disappointed in the guy.  But let me tell you something, reputation starts at home.  I often wonder if my dad was there when Cano was a kid if he would have made a dash to Seattle 2 years ago.  I would bet not. I think alittle loyalty would have played a part.

Bottom line, in my upbringing, I got the better part of the deal.  My reputation’s intact.  I wake up every day making an honest living, supporting my family and walking out there leading my example, working hard, providing integrity and heart in what I do every day.  I’m not so sure that can be said of Robinson Cano.

Hey, thanks Dad.




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CANO "WAS THE WORST PLAYER & COST PEOPLE THEIR JOBS!"

That quote above comes from former baseball player and former Mariners coach, Andy Van Slyke. He was speaking of Robinson Cano. It's surprising to read, but it's mind blowing to actually hear.  Van Slyke does not pull any punches.  Bottom line, he said he thought Cano was probably a good guy, but he cost a lot of people jobs coming over the Seattle Mariners with that hefty $24 million a year contract.

That portion of the interview is HERE, you gotta listen to it!  But here is the full verbate of what Van Slyke said of Mr. Robinson Cano on Frank Cusumano's radio show Press Box on CBS Sports Radio :

Andy Van Slyke: "You would have thought Cano would have had a terrific year, but he had the worst, single year of an every day player in 20 years in the big league level.... he was just the most awful player I have ever seen."

Frank Cusumano: "It wasn't working? I think he tries..."

Van Slyke: "He does... sometimes.... Your highest paid, supposedly best player... I mean, Robinson's not a bad guy. Let me just say that before I say anything bad about how he plays. But Robinson Cano was the single worst third place every day player I've ever seen. I've ever seen for the first half of a baseball season.  He couldn't drive home Miss Daisy if he tried. He couldn't do it. He couldn't get a hit when it mattered. 

He played the worst defense I've ever seen... I'm talking the worst defensive second basemen I've ever seen!

I'm telling you Frank, Robinson Cano cost the GM his job. The hitting coach got fired because of Cano. And then the Manager and coaches got fired because of Cano because that's how much of an impact he has on the organization. He was the worst player and it cost people their jobs in the process."

This is huge! Baseball is a boys club and many times players and coaches don't talk so honestly about other players, but I gotta tell you, this speaks volumes.  Cano has destroyed that franchise, at least that's how Van Slyke sees it.

By the way, a big shout-out to KrustySox.com for sending this interview my way.  It's a huge story because it all goes back to a piece I put out on BYB in August,  THAT BAD CANO DEAL GOT ZDURIENCIK FIRED,

"Bottom line, he was horrible at his job, but one can speculate, that if Cano ends up going down in flames in Seattle, it will be that move that will determine Zduriencik's legacy."

Now it's pretty much been confirmed by Van Slyke.  Bringing Cano to the Mariners is horrible for Seattle.

Yup... have fun with that.

You gotta love Van Slyke. The dude just speaks his mind.




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MARINERS RAIN ON THE YANKEES PARADE

The media speculation over how Robinson Cano would be received on his return to the Bronx was put to rest Tuesday night. He received a number of cheers, but really was met with mostly boos. Are we at all surprised by this? Usually, when a player returns to face the Yankees, they get a respectful cheer. But the circumstances under which Cano left made it clear he would not be welcomed. CC Sabathia struck him out in the first, and the crowd was ecstatic. The Bleacher Creatures added him to roll call, but then started a "You sold out," chant. The boos would continue with the rest of his at bats, and even some of his fielding plays. The surprise for me came when he hustled hard to first base. Granted, he was beat there by CC, and still called out, but he hustled. Where was that the previous 9  years? C'mon, Robbie! CC made it a point to pitch in to him, where the rest of the league has been pitching away. Welcome back to the Bronx, I guess?

Anyway, on this rainy day in the Bronx, the Yankees started off pretty well. CC's mechanics seemed to be on point. Mark Teixeira hit a single homer, his third of the season, in the second. Brian Roberts scores after an E2 by catcher Mike Zunino. The Yankees were up 2-0, until the 5th inning.

Don't know what happened to CC at that point. I feel like I blinked, and he was suddenly in a bases loaded situation. Started with the Mariners challenging a play, and it being over turned, and it all went down hill from there. Seattle would walk away from the inning having scored 4 runs. Top of the 7th would see Seattle scoring two more runs, one by our old friend, Robbie.

In the 8th, Cano's check swing was called a strike by the 3rd base ump, Andy Hamari. It was clearly a check swing, but you know what? It's cold, it's raining. Everyone involved wants to go home. But then in the bottom of the inning Teixeira's check swing was not called a strike. Mariners first base coach, Andy Van Slyke, was not pleased. Decided to exchange a few words with the Hamari, and earned himself an ejection.

Frankly, the shift was just not working in our favor tonight. Seattle seemed to have no problem scoring on us. Bottom line? They out played us tonight. You can't win games, if you don't score runs. Seems a bit obvious, but true nonetheless.


Final: Mariners 6 - Yankees 3

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804

 




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IS THERE A BIGGER PLAN FOR FRANCISCO CERVELLI?

I have always felt that the passion Francisco Cervelli provides on the field catapults him into a player you want in your lineup. Sure, he’s the not best in offense or defense, but he’s good and he believes in himself. Yes, believing in yourself is only part of it. I mean, if you hit .211 on a season and your fist pumping your way through it, it’s not exactly going to get you very far. But I often think back to spring training when it comes to Cervelli. Cervelli had a great spring and it almost felt like he had a better spring than previous ones. I think at that point he had enough confidence in himself that he made it…that he’d be a backup in the Bigs again. I think he thought he provided what the Yankees wanted this past Spring.., many of us did. I mean think about it, who else was he competing against? Austin Romine? JR Murphy? Jesus Montero was gone…he had it in the bag…until Chris Stewart came in and burst his bubble.
(In Photo: Chris Stewart)
If I’m Francisco Cervelli at that point, I’m pissed. Not only that, I want out. I’d think to myself “I just gave it my all, proved myself and you pull some bait and switch on me! What the hell?” I feel his pain, I’ve been there before, not in baseball, in life. Cervelli was frustrated but he handled it publicly better than expected and it was mature and classy, I salute him…but it doesn’t change the fact that Cervelli is still in the minor leagues and trying to deal with it day by day.

So what’s the plan? I believe the Yankees have one and Cervelli won’t be a member of the Yankees very long. With that story coming out of that Venezuela publication a few weeks ago that suggested the Cervelli says 2 teams are interested in him, I say, good for him ( Read HERE.) If that story was in fact true, and the Yankees can trade him for some other hole they need to fill on the roster, they should.

I always said Cervelli has enough passion in himself and his team that he could easily become a leader...if not on the Yankees, somewhere else. I said that when rumors were swirling about he maybe being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates a while back. "Francisco has passion that would resonate with any young ball club... he could definitely take the reigns and provide leadership, leadership that hasn’t been seen in Pittsburgh since Andy Van Slyke and Willie Stargell." (Read WHY CERVELLI COULD BE TRADED THIS WINTER.)

Bottom line, he wants to be out there on the field every day. He wants to work hard and sure, while he knows he’s not the best, he won’t let that get the best of him. I like that about Frankie.

Mark my words, I believe that if there are holes the Yankees want to improve on as we approach the deadline, they will definitely unload Francisco Cervelli. Do I agree with it? No, because I like Cervelli and his passion…but as Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record says….”It’s a baseball decision.”

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WHY CERVELLI COULD BE TRADED THIS WINTER

Sure everything on the catching front really stems from whether or not the Yankees can sign Russell Martin to a multi-year deal. I don’t see it being a problem, it is clear Martin likes being in the Bronx and with Cashman being quoted last week that Martin was “Munson-like”, that may be the nicest compliment for any catcher, believe me.

The Yankees have Jesus Montero who can catch but will mainly be used because of his bat. Just a few days ago Cashman came out suggesting Montero will get 500 at bats in 2012. We also have Austin Romine who is clearly better defensively than Montero but doesn’t hit all too well. Damn… why can’t it ever be easy?

Anyway, we also have Gary Sanchez, the kid that blogs have been talking about as becoming the next big thing… including us, read HERE.

That leaves Francisco Cervelli and his fist pump out of the mix. Look, we all love Cervelli and the passion he has. I would never call out Cervelli for a fist pump or a hard hand slap as he’s rounding the bases on a home run, that’s baseball, that’s passion and the other teams have to get over it. You need a guy like that on your team and Cervelli’s that guy. But let’s face facts…there is way too much catching talent on the New York Yankees and there isn’t any room for Francisco Cervelli anymore. There is however pitching that is needed and for a while this fall I thought for sure that Francisco Cervelli would be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then, news came out of Pittsburgh that the Pirates signed catcher Rod Barajas (Read HERE). That leaves the idea of Cervelli being traded to Pittsburgh in the dark. Believe me though, a trade of Cervelli anywhere is not dead yet. A few things could happen; maybe the Pirates would still be interested in Cervelli as a backup, for instance. (In Photo: Brad Lincoln)

I remember reading HERE, that the Pirates may have been willing to swap Brad Lincoln for Cervelli. Brad Lincoln is decent, and on the Yankees, he could be more decent. This was Lincoln’s line with the Pirates last year. 4.72 ERA / 2-3 / 29 K / 47.2 IP. Anyway, it appears the Pittsburgh ship may have sailed.

There is also talk that the Angels may need a backup catcher to Chris Iannetta. Read HERE. Could Cervelli help in Los Angeles with newly acquired Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson? No doubt they can afford it. But, then you need to think bigger. With news coming out of Yankeeland that Jorge Posada would not be returning to the Yankees, and he searching for a team, what you now could have are 2 players, both Posada and Cervelli, now possibly competing for work.

The rumor is Jorge Posada is being looked at by the Baltimore Orioles who need a backup to Matt Wieters. No doubt Cervelli would be a cheaper alternative to backup than Posada, plus Posada would want some money. You also have to look at the Miami Marlins who are signing everybody. Jorge Posada would actually fit in nicely there, according to Laura Posada, plus, he’d be in the National League and in Florida, a place it is believed he would like to be. Again though, Posada will want money and Cervelli could be a trade for pitching. Why wouldn’t the Orioles and Marlins look past Posada at someone like Cervelli or would they really pay a 40 year old catcher to be a backup?And then, back to the Angels... wouldn't Los Angeles want a leader like Jorge or would they want a cheaper alternative in Francisco Cervelli.

At the end of the day, Francisco has passion that would resonate with any young ball club and not to go back to Pittsburgh again, but I was a firm believer that Pittsburgh would had been a perfect spot for Cervelli. Not only would he be pumped on the field, he could definitely take the reigns and provide leadership, leadership that hasn’t been seen in Pittsburgh since Andy Van Slyke and Willie Stargell. (In Photo: Andy Van Slyke)

Yes, Cervelli is no superstar, but he can be a positive force in that clubhouse, in any clubhouse... he can be a leader, he has the passion that rubs off on players. Now I'm just ranting.

Look, I like Francisco Cervelli and I’ll always come to the guy’s defense. He may not perform like an All-Star, but there is no doubt he’s got true heart, and believe it or not, that goes along way. I believe Cervelli’s days are numbered though and there’s no doubt in my mind that Cervelli is going somewhere, but where? That is the question. Stay tuned…

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