Francisco Lindor made it clear on Sunday that he didn’t want to see his friend and mentor Robinson Cano leave the team as a result of the league’s roster cuts.
But Cano was indeed one of the two casualties, designated for assignment on Monday with the Mets eating nearly $37 million of the money he is owed through next season.
Asked about Cano’s departure after New York’s loss to the Braves on Monday night, a disappointed Lindor once again said that he didn’t want Cano to leave.
“Sad. I didn’t want to see him go,” Lindor said. “But I respect the team’s decision.”
Cano was struggling badly at the plate, and at 39 years old coming off a year-long PED suspension, the move made sense from a baseball standpoint, which owner Steve Cohen said should be the deciding factor in the decision, not money. Cano hopes to sign on with another team this season, though Lindor wishes he was still in New York.
“He’s a great guy and a great teammate,” Lindor said. “Always spent time with him continuing to learn about the game and things he’s been through in life. But at the end of the day, I’m with the New York Mets, and I respect their decision.”
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