Seattle Mariners Cannot Afford to Lose Robinson Cano

The Seattle Mariners cannot afford to lose Robinson Cano for any length of time. Cano was scratched from the lineup on Sunday and fans have to hope that he is just a little tired after playing 28 innings in two games from Friday to Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Seattle lineup looks very sad without Cano, particularly when compared to the Los Angeles Angels. Seattle has a team average of .245 (24th) while the Angels are at .266 (3rd). Beyond the first three batters, the Mariners had these batting averages in the starting lineup after Sunday’s game:

.191/.210/.211/.232/.205/.204

Compare that the bottom six of the Angels:

.293/.296/.250/.314/.313/.238

The .238 average belongs to catcher Hank Conger, who has never been mistaken for a powerful bat. And yet, he had a higher batting average than six of the nine Mariners hitters in Sunday’s lineup.

Not so good.

So, do the Mariners need to trade for a bat? Yes. While they are at in, they might think about trading for 3-4 bats. Just sayin’.

Granted, James Jones did not start, and Lloyd McClendon also sat Logan Morrison. However, if Mike Zunino and Brad Miller had gone hitless in the game, the M’s might have had three starters with batting averages below the Mendoza Line (includes Stefen Romero).

Rest up, Mr. Cano, but get back soon. The Mariners need your bat…desperately.