Seattle Mariners: Top 50 players of all time
By Nick Lee
16. Robinson Cano (2014-present)
Before the 2014 season, Cano was offered the largest contract in Mariners history, a 10-year, $240 million megadeal. In his three seasons as a Mariner, he has not disappointed.
He is building a possible Hall of Fame resume (unless something incredible happens, it will likely be as a Yankee). He has hit 74 home runs in his three years in Seattle.
Cano set a new career-high with 39 bombs last season and 103 RBI with a .298 average to compliment his power. His 7.3 WAR in 2016 cracks the top 10 in Mariners single-season history. His swing is as smooth as his glove and his demeanor.
Cano earned his seventh All-Star trip last year. He has two Gold Gloves and five Silver Sluggers to boot.
His trophy case is getting full and he’s 34, with a few solid seasons left in him. He is one of the more feared hitters in the league.
If Cano can get close to his 2016 totals and help orchestrate the first Mariners postseason berth since 2001, he will springboard into the top 10 on this list of greatest to ever wear Seattle across the chest. He is signed through 2024, so there is ample time to chip away.
He has 278 career home runs, which is fifth all-time among second basemen. He needs six more to pass Ryne Sandberg for fourth.
Cano is a huge reason why the Mariners are picked by many to at least be in the running for an AL West championship this season. He will be a veteran leader on this 2017 ball club. The 2009 World Series champion wants another taste of the postseason, to add to his eight career postseason home runs.