Could this current Mets’ player manage in the future?

New York Mets, Robinson Cano
Jul 13, 2019; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano (24) celebrates after his two run home run in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets‘ second baseman Robinson Cano, despite his doping-related suspension, is among the most respected players in the league. Not only he has been productive for almost his entire career (a .302/.352/.490 line doesn’t lie, and he has 324 homers, 1272 RBI and 57.3 fWAR to his name) but he is seen as a respected veteran presence in Queens.

Recently, MLB.com did a fun exercise. They named five players in the NL East that could be managers at some point in the future. The league’s official site identified Braves’ hurler Mike Soroka, Marlins’ infielder Miguel Rojas, Nats’ ace Max Scherzer and Phillies’ catcher Andrew Knapp as potential candidates. Do you care to guess the Mets’ candidate? Yes, Robinson Cano.

While it’s true that the team may have other candidates, Cano seems like the one that would be the closest to managing in the future. Pete Alonso may be a great one, but he is just starting his playing career. Marcus Stroman also comes to mind. But Cano, even though he hasn’t been vocal about taking over a team down the road, could be successful.

A respected Mets’ leader

Here is what Anthony DiComo, the New York Mets’ beat writer at MLB.com, had to say about Cano’s chances of being a team’s skipper at some point tomorrow: “Consider this speculative, as he has never publicly expressed interest in coaching or managing after his retirement. But few around baseball command as much respect in the clubhouse as Canó, a bilingual veteran of 15 big league seasons. Upon moving from Seattle to New York in 2019, Canó instantly became one of the Mets’ clubhouse leaders, serving as a mentor for several young Latin players.”

Having played in a veteran Yankees’ squad for much of his career, Cano was always surrounded by good examples and strong veteran presences.

“Canó, who learned about leadership early in his career from Derek Jeter and other prominent Yankees, filled part of the void in Flushing left by retired captain David Wright. He’s particularly influential in the batting cage, where teammates of all stripes look to him for advice. If Canó wants to continue his professional baseball career after his playing days are over, surely there will be a job out there for him somewhere,” DiComo stated.