Below is the latest post from sometime Yankeeist contributor Joe Montesano. He previously wrote about Curtis Granderson near the end of Spring Training.During the offseason prior to 2009, the Yankees were in the midst of spending three times the GDP of Peru on three players: CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett. While all three of those players ended up playing a significant part in what would be yet another championship run for the Bombers, one could argue that a stellar season by Robinson Cano was as important to the team as anyone on the roster. However, during December of 2008, depending on who you believe, Cano was rumored to be offered to the Dodgers and Joe Torre. So I ask you: if the Cano for Matt Kemp swap was actually more than run-of-the-mill bored-as-hell offseason rumormongering, would it be Brian Cashman or Ned Colletti that hung up first?
In 2008, Robinson Cano had just finished a season that saw his wOBA plummet to a career-low of .307. He was labeled as "lazy," and Joe Girardi seemingly pulled out all the stops to light a fire under the talented second baseman. First, Cano's best friend, Melky "Below League Average" Cabrera was sent to Scranton in what was widely viewed as a scare tactic aimed at Cano. Ultimately, Girardi was forced to bench Cano in September for what looked like a piss-poor effort. As disappointing as 2008 was for the Yankees, Cano may have been the poster boy for the season.
Matt Kemp, on the other hand, seemed to be moving in the opposite direction. He was a budding superstar in La-La Land under Joe Torre, poised to become a superstar. Coming off of his first full season, Kemp flashed all five tools with a .290/.340/.459 slash in what equated to a 3.1 win season.
In taking this information at face value, it seems as though the Yankees have been committing what would equate to prison rape at the Dodgers' expense had the train been consummated. But what isn't shown here is the infinite potential of Robinson Cano. Potential that would end up translating into a .320/.352/.520 line in 2009 as a main cog in the Yankees' championship offense. So far, this looks like a "what were they thinking" rip on the Yankees, but a closer look at Kemp's numbers in 2009 suggest otherwise. His .367 wOBA was just three points lower than that of Cano, and his superior (according to UZR, anyway) defense gave him a 0.3 win advantage over Robbie.
So now that we have seen an absolutely torrid start from Cano -- as Frank McCourt publicly bitches about Kemp -- I am reviving this debate: if you had the option, would you trade Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp?* I look forward to seeing the answers in the comments.
*Please note - the scenario presented includes only the rights to Matt Kemp, and in no way suggests that Rihanna would be a part of the deal.
Considering the Yankees have some ok prospects that could fill in at 2b and no prospects at CF, it might be a good deal if it were done today. I mean, Nunez could move over to 2b, David Adams is hitting well in AA. Am I overreacting to the Granderson injury?
ReplyDeleteCano is a good player made better in a stellar lineup. Matt Kemp is bar none a type of player who will eventually be able to carry a team by making things happen. This argument will seem silly years from now.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit fantasy too, since it's highly likely that the Yankees offered the Dodgers, not the other way around. Kemp is/was the Dodgers perceived "crown jewel" and they had turned down better packages that included good MLB pitchers coming their way. I don't see a Cano package matching up with what had been reportedly true past offers for him.
Cano is the best second baseman in the AL and as Chase Utley ages, will soon be considered the best second baseman in baseball.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with you. Although that lineup is phenominal, Take it from someone who watches cano everyday for the last 4 years, He, more so than kemp is hte kind of talent that can carry a lineup for stretches. We have only begun to see how dynamic Robinson is.
ReplyDeleteI am not tryin to take anything away from kemp, he is a 5 tool player, and an emerging star, but Cano ceiling is as high as anyones.
JMHO
Before the Granderson trade I would have sent Cano off to acquire Kemp in a heart beat. They are both under control through 2012, but Kemp is cheaper and more capable to be signed long term for cheaper. He is also 2 years younger and plays a position the Yanks were having a tough time trying to fill. With guys like Russo, Nunez already in AAA that could step in to replace Cano it would be an easy decision.
ReplyDeleteTalent wise they are definitely comparable. But before Granderson the Yanks did not have an answer for CF besides Melky/Gardner.
Um I think we should be happy with the abundance of superstars we have and stop dreaming of having everyone else’s. Besides, you know we will eventually reel him in anyway$. BTW, Kemp is overwhelmingly a far superior talent.
ReplyDeleteCano is just as much of a superstar as Kemp. Considering the recient struggles of Tex and Arod, Granderson falling to the DL, and not much production out of Swish (until reciently), it is cano that has helped up climb atop the AL east early. Not only that but Cano is by far one of the slickest and underrated defenders in the league. Along with his silver slugger award in 2010 and his gold glove at 2B cano can easily carry a team just as much as Kemp can!
ReplyDeleteI believe Cano has the potential to be one of the most feared bats in baseball. I've always envisioned him becoming the left handed Manny Ramirez - minus the dreadlocks, attitude, and pharmaceuticals. I can't think of a package I would be willing to trade him for off hand.
ReplyDelete~jamie
Sorry boys, but Cano is nowhere near the talent that Kemp is. As a second-baseman, Cano is surely a player that a team should covet. However, Kemp has all five tools going for him and can win both a Silver Slugger and gold Glove in the same season. Cano can't. His offense is on par with Dustin Pedroia, but below that of Aaron Hill. Defensively he is also behind Hill and Pedroia. While Pedroia has a Gold Glove if Hill can continue to perform the way he did in 2009, he'll be the one winning Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves for years to come.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who puts Cano on par offensively with Dustin Pedroia and says hes behind Aaron Hill offensively as well obviously doesn't know much about baseball. Almost every announcer/player who speaks about Cano talks about how smooth and underrated he is in the field. They also mention his offensive talent calling him a threat to be a batting champion. Cano is by far the best second baseman in the AL and is catching up to Utley offensively as well. Also, Pedroia even though you have to admire his drive, is one of the most overrated players in baseball.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any second basemen who can throw like Cano. He made an INSANE play in Baltimore and hit Teixeira right in the glove.
ReplyDeleteAs a Dodger fan, I am beyond happy that they didn't trade Kemp. Kemp has had a slow few weeks but if you watch him every night like I do, you can't help but see that he is a future 40/40 threat.
ReplyDeleteKemp >>>>> Cano
ReplyDeleteKemp.......Attitude problems in LA? Stolen base percentage is poor. Has not reached his full potential in power department, but as he ages, you will see a drop in his average. Excellent fielder and arm, probably a four tool player. Cano, although an excellent base runner, no stolen bases. Glove and arm are as good as it gets. Cano probably will never put up the power numbers of Utley. He is already the best defensive 2B in baseball. Nobody goes to his right better. Amazing ability to throw out runners while moving toward left field. Still, a four tool player. I'll take Cano over Kemp because of his average.
ReplyDeleteKEMP.......KEMP......KEMP.....
ReplyDeleteNO WAY DODGERS GIVE HIM UP......HE IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL 5 TOOL PLAYER
(300/35/40 GOLD GLOVE/SLIVER SLUGGER/ALL STAR)
I'm a Yankees fan and I know we have a tendency to overrate our players and have them ticketed for the hall of fame before they ever reach 100 career hits. That said, we have a right to get excited about Cano but we need to be honest with ourselves. Looking at the big picture, it's border line ridiculous to pretend that Cano is as "valuable" as Kemp. Kemp does everything at an allstar level, while Cana hits like one and has a strong arm. His defense is embarrassing and we highly overrate this part of his game because he makes a slick play once in a while. His demeanor and nonchalant approach can be infuriating at times but I still love him & where his jersey proud.
ReplyDeleteAre we seriously having this debate
ReplyDeleteCana is an awful 2nd basemen that can hit. Kemp is an up & comer who is already all world. I like Cano better as a 3rd bagger where the rage isn't needed & he doesn't have time to think about the play.
you people are really stupid cano has more power and all around better tools than kemp. Cano has PURE MVP potenitial forget potential he has proved he is the MVP while kemp just sucks really bad he is an embaressment to the dodger organization at this point
ReplyDelete