Chicago Cubs: What does the Mets-Mariners trade mean for the Cubs?

Chicago Cubs: Cano adds much-needed thump to the Mets lineup

Aside from outfielder Michael Conforto, no New York Mets player hit more than 18 long balls last season. Yoenis Cespedes remains a glaring question mark in the middle of that lineup if he manages to return at any point next season. In short, they need an impact bat.

And that’s exactly what Cano brings to the table.

Last season (which included an 80-game suspension for PEDs), Cano hit 10 home runs and drove in 50 runs in 80 games. He also batted .303 and put up a 136 OPS+ for the Mariners. From 2014 to 2017 (his first four years in Seattle), Cano averaged a 128 OPS+, 24 home runs and 90 RBI. If you’re wondering, the Mets haven’t had a player drive in 90 or more runs in a single season since Lucas Duda drove in 92 back in 2014.

Of course, the Cubs have a slugging middle infielder of their own in 2018 NL MVP runner-up Javier Baez. Coming off a breakout campaign in which he carried the Cubs back to the postseason, Baez now stands as one of the best in the game.

Short-term? I’d take Baez. Long-term? I’d obviously take Baez. But there’s no disputing what Cano’s bat means for this New York ballclub and the immediate boost he’ll provide in the heart of the order.