Cano lets Dipoto know he has no issues
SEATTLE -- Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto refuted a report in The New York Daily News on Monday that second baseman Robinson Cano is unhappy and wants out of Seattle, saying the situation is "quite the opposite" after speaking with one of Cano's agents.
Dipoto said Brodie Van Wagenen, one of Cano's representatives, called him Monday morning after the newspaper reported that one of Cano's longtime friends said the player was displeased with the regime change in Seattle and would "love to find his way back to New York" if possible.
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"He reached out to let me know that did not come from Robbie and that's not at all reflective of how he felt," said Dipoto, who replaced former GM Jack Zduriencik two months ago. "Shortly after the season ended, I sat down with Robinson in my office for two hours and we had a great talk and I think we left with a very clear understanding of who one another might be.
"Since the season ended, we've had a couple phone conversations and texted back and forth on a couple occasions. I don't have any reason to believe he has a problem. He has not expressed that to me. As we're moving forward, we believe he's going to have a strong season as our second baseman."
Cano has eight years and $192 million remaining on the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed after leaving the Yankees in free agency. After getting off to a difficult start last season and hitting .238 in his first 74 games, Cano batted .330 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .920 OPS in the last 82 games to hike his final batting line to .287/.334/.446 with 34 doubles, 21 home runs and 79 RBIs.
Cano expressed some frustration at season's end about his own early-season struggles and missing out on the playoffs, but indicated at that time he was eager to get healthy again and see what moves Dipoto would make to improve the club.
Cano played the final two months with an abdomen issue and underwent surgery immediately after the season in Philadelphia to repair a sports hernia. He's now working out again in preparation for Spring Training.
"He's doing great," Dipoto said. "That has been the case since the surgery. Right now, all systems are go. It looks fantastic for this time of year. No restrictions."