Padres rumored to be close to deal with veteran slugger Robinson Canó

Padres reportedly close to deal with struggling veteran Robinson Canó

When it comes to adding bat power, it looks like the San Diego Padres are willing to try anyone.

After manager Bob Melvin stressed their need for “power” earlier this week, Jon Heyman reported Thursday morning that the Padres are “close to signing” Robinson Canó, who was designated for assignment and released by the New York Mets last week.

Canó was one of baseball’s best hitters in the 2010s, but his fall from grace has been hard and fast. He’s tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs twice, getting an 80-game suspension in 2018, and missing the entire season in 2021.

Presumably, Canó would platoon with Luke Voit at the designated hitter spot in the lineup, but it’s been a while since he was thought of as an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and two-time Gold Glover. His 2009 World Series championship and World Baseball Classic gold medal and MVP are old news. When the Seattle Mariners traded closer Edwin Díaz to the Mets, Canó was the add-on, and they paid the Mets $20M to take him off their hands.

Over 12 games this season that would end up being his last in a Mets uniform, the 39-year-old hit .195/.233/.268 with a .501 OPS, and just one extra-base hit, a home run.

With the Padres lineup already struggling, many fans are, understandably, less than thrilled by the possible signing:

But with the Padres’ terrible DH numbers – Joel Sherman reports that the DH position is hitting a meager .206/.290/.282 – other fans are willing to give him a chance:

Of course, Canó’s numbers with the Mets, while a short sample size, were even worse than the Padres’ DH line.

Fernando Tatis Jr. can’t get back soon enough.