After agreeing to a deal with former Yankees star Robinson Cano last week, the Mariners made the signing official Thursday. Cano will be introduced in a 3 p.m. press conference at Safeco Field.
Terms of the deal were not announced, but according to the Associated Press, Cano signed a 10-year deal that will pay $24 million annually.
Here is the release from the team:
SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President &General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“We have made a major commitment to a player who is one of the most dynamic in Major League Baseball,” Zduriencik said. “And Robinson has made a commitment to the Seattle Mariners organization and to the City of Seattle. We have stayed true to our plan of building our organization from the ground up through the amateur draft and player development, and now have had the opportunity to add an All-Star player through free agency.”
Cano, 31, has established himself as one of the best overall players in baseball over the last few years. He is a five-time All-Star, including the American League starter at second base each of the last four seasons. He has also won five Silver Slugger Awards (2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) and two Gold Gloves (2010, 2012). In nine Major League seasons with the New York Yankees (2005-2013), Cano has combined to bat .309 (1649×5336) with 375 doubles, 28 triples, 204 home runs and 822 RBI in 1,374 games. His team record in games played is 797-577 (.580), the second-highest winning percentage (min. 1,000 G) by an active player (Derek Jeter – .598: 1,556-1,044-2).
“I am really happy to be here in Seattle and look forward to helping the Mariners organization win a championship and bring a World Series trophy to the Pacific Northwest,” Cano said.
Last season, Cano batted .314 (190×605) with 41 doubles, 27 home runs and 107 RBI in 160 games with the Yankees. It was his fifth consecutive season with 40 or more doubles and 25 or more home runs, the only player in baseball history to record those statistics in five straight seasons. Only Albert Pujols (7 seasons), Lou Gehrig (6 seasons), Miguel Cabrera (5 seasons), Stan Musial (5 seasons), Hank Greenberg (5 seasons) and Cano have recorded 5 or more seasons in a career with 40 or more doubles and 25 or more home runs.
Over the last five seasons (2009-2013), Cano has combined to bat .314 (978×3118) with 496 runs scored, 224 doubles, 13 triples, 142 home runs, 513 RBI and a .899 OPS (.530 SLG, .369 OBP). His 379 extra base hits over this span are second-most in baseball behind Miguel Cabrera (385), while his 224 doubles are by far the most in baseball (Billy Butler has 2nd-most with 199). His 290 multi-hit games over this stretch are also the most in baseball. He has finished in the top 6 in the voting for AL MVP in each of the last four seasons, including 3rd in 2010, 6th in 2011, 4th in 2012 and 5th in 2013.
Cano has appeared in the postseason in seven of his nine Major League seasons, recording 21 extra base hits (8 HR) in 51 playoff games. He has been selected to play in five All-Star games, including the last four starting for the AL at second base. In 2013, he received 5,369,141 votes, 6th-most among AL players. He has participated in the All-Star Home Run Derby each of the last three seasons, winning the title in 2011 (Chase Field) with 32 home runs.
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