SAN DIEGO — The Padres could be acquiring another infielder on a low-risk contract.
Two sources confirmed the team is talking with Robinson Cano, the eight-time All-Star second baseman who was designated for assignment by the Mets last week and released over the weekend. One source said the Padres are optimistic a deal will be finalized Friday. The New York Post first reported Cano was close to signing.
The plan would be for Cano, 39, to serve as a left-handed option off the bench, which the Padres do not have most days, and be a backup in the infield. The intention is not for him to take significant at-bats from designated hitter Luke Voit as long as Voit is producing.
The Mets are paying the $37.6 million remaining on the 10-year, $240 million contract Cano signed in 2014 with the Mariners. The Padres will pay Cano the major league minimum.
The Padres sent top prospect CJ Abrams to Triple-A on Tuesday to get at-bats after using him as a utility infielder for the first month of the season. They claimed Sergio Alcantara off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Monday but have not used him in a game yet.
Cano did not play in 2021 after a second PED suspension. He was hitting .195 with a .501 OPS in 43 plate appearances for the Mets. He hit .316/.352/.544 in 182 plate appearances in 2020. His last All-Star selection was in 2017.
